Last Saturday Smithills School Senior Brass Band directed by MD Chris Wormald filled Bolton's Victoria Hall for a concert in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Over £6,000 raised

The evening raised in excess of £6,000 for the RNLI, one of the two nominated charities on behalf of whom Smithills and Chris have raised money for over 18 years.

Victoria Hall Manager Mr Stephen Lee informed Smithills Headteacher Ken Howell that within the hall's capacity of 1,270 seats there were literally 19 empty spaces when the concert began at 7.30pm.

The evening raised in excess of £6,000 for the RNLI, one of the two nominated charities on behalf of whom Smithills and Chris have raised money for over 18 years4BR

Featured soloists

The bands contribution saw three featured soloists in the form of 17 year old Lucy Sanderson and brother and sister Thomas Hurst on soprano and Joanna Hurst on principal cornet. 14 year old Thomas performed "Moon River" on the eve of his 15th birthday whilst 17 year old sister Joanna gave her first performance of "I've Got You Under My Skin" which drew a particularly extended ovation.

Full hall

Smithills were delighted to fill the Victoria Hall, especially on the day that Bolton welcomed its first snow for over a year.

Prior to the conclusion of the concert, the presentation of a commemorative shield was made to Chris and the band on behalf of the RNLI by active members who had just returned from working on the stricken cargo ship currently beached off Blackpool.