BOLTON Hospitals NHS Trust is marking the 50th anniversary of the National Health Service this year with a number of special events. The highlight is a commemorative concert at the Victoria Hall, Bolton, by the Halle Orchestra on July 11. The event is being supported by Manchester and Salford Hospital Saturday Fund which is giving £10 for every ticket, with profits going to Bolton Hospitals Children's Wards Appeal and Bolton Hospice.

The concert will be the first the Halle has given in Bolton for some years. It is also the finale to the inaugural season of "Proms" in Bolton and will take the form of a traditional and celebratory "Last Night of the Proms". The conductor will be Paul Payton, well known and respected as Director of the Bolton LEA Music Service as well as for his freelance conducting.

The soloist will be Lancashire-born Lorna Rushton, who studied at the Royal Northern College of Music.

Tickets will be available both to NHS staff and to members of the public from March 21 and cost £10 for adults. There will also be a number available for accompanied children under 14 at £5 each. Tickets will be available from Jenny Walsh, Royal Bolton Hospital (phone 01204 390854); from Bolton Hospice (phone 01204 520040); from the Albert Halls Box Office (phone 01204 364333) and also from Picturesque in Bank Street (phone 01204 397707).

Other anniversary events being considered by the Trust include a special cake to be shared with staff, a dinner dance, mementoes for babies born on the actual date of the 50th anniversary (July 5, 1998), a multi-faith thanksgiving service for staff, a project involving Bolton Hospital Saturday, displays and exhibitions, a concert by the hospital choir, a staff sports day and a flower festival in the hospital chapel.

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