THE concert may have been called the Last Night of the Proms, but members of Bolton Junior Youth Orchestra and the audience knew it was really "Liz's night".

For Elizabeth Forrest was conducting her last official concert with the BJYO. It was an emotional occasion as the popular conductor has been with the orchestra for 22 years.

In the programme for the event, the Parent Support group thanked her for her work with the orchestra. It was one of many tributes paid to her during the evening. A letter, from the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Peter Birch, praising her dedication and commitment to the orchestra, was read out.

Members of the orchestra presented her with gifts and and the traditional "joke" present, this year a penny whistle.

After some initial nervousness in the first half of the concert, the players soon got into their stride and did justice to Walton's Spitfire, Prelude, the Overture to the Marriage of Figaro, The Pachelbel Canon and the 1812 Overture.

But it was in the second half that they fully rose to the occasion and played The Dambusters March with strength and vigour.

They were equally at home with Highlights from Orpheus in the Underword and Fantasia on British Sea Songs was delivered with vivacity.

They, and the audience, clearly enjoyed Jerusalem and Land of Hope and Glory.

The guests - Borough Organist Brian Smith, bass/baritone Ernest Dawson, soprano Claire Dewhurst and the Bolton Metropolitan Borough Schools music Association Chorale and Sharples School Staff Choir - were well received. The lighting by Peter Gower and the Albert Halls Technical Staff added to the impact of the music. Fittingly Auld Lang Syne finished the concert.

The tumultuous cheers which Liz Forrest received at the end of the evening reflected the respect and affection in which she is held by both orchestra and audiences. Her young players did her proud last night. Doreen Crowther

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