BOLTON CHORAL Union face an exciting and challenging season.

On October 14, they will be taking part in the Voices for Hospice concert at the Victoria Hall.

Their own major event of the season is on November 11 with a Remembrance Concert at the Victoria Hall.

This is an official part of Bolton's Millennium programme and will be attended by the Deputy Mayor.

For this concert, which is being produced with Bolton Hospice and for the Hospice's benefit, the choir will be augmented by the St Nicholas Singers.

The Camarata Concert Orchestra, which is well known and popular throughout the North-West, will be playing.

The soloist is soprano Suzannah Clarke, who was immensely popular when she last appeared with the Union.

Since then she has become a member of English National Opera and has sung at La Scala, Milan and at the Vienna Opera House.

The programme is described as "very English" and includes Elgar's Spirit of England, Vaughn Willams Dona Nobis Pacem and "some surprises".

The Union will be at the Victoria Hall again on December 16 for the Family Carol Concert. This will be a traditional mix of well known carols, brass band music, a children's choir and community singing.

The Union has changed its rehearsal venue and now meets ever Friday at 7.30 pm in the Maple Room at the Church of St Andrew and St George, on the corner of Knowsley Street and St George's Street, opposite the Market Place. Access is via the red door on St George's Street.

Rehearsals last about two hours and have already started.

The Union is keen to recruit new members and anyone is welcome to go along and join the singers.