ON Saturday evening I was one of the 350 lucky people who succeeded in obtaining a ticket for the concert at Smithills School by the Band of the Coldstream Guards.

To hear a band of such renown playing in a school in Bolton was indeed a privilege but I am sure that everyone present would agree that the performance by the Smithills School Concert Band certainly proved why the Coldstream Guards were so willing to come to Bolton.

The highlight of the evening was the two bands playing together, with Smithills pupils sitting alongside the Guardsmen, playing in total harmony. The pupils of Smithills who played will remember the unique experience they have had playing jointly with such celebrated musicians, but there is no doubt that the members of the Guards will return to London realising that they also had the privilege of taking part in something that was very special.

These young musicians of Smithills Band are a credit to Bolton and their school, and, together with Chris Wormald, Duncan Silcock and the rest of the Smithills School staff involved, should be congratulated yet again on their magnificent achievements.

G Russell

Great Stone Close

Egerton

Bolton