Early this afternoon, in aid of Bolton Mountain Rescue Team, the Carols 4 Christmas event, a Christmas Charity Carol Concert was held from 14:30 to 17:00 at United Reformed Church of St. Andrew and St. George, St. George’s Road, Bolton.

A team vehicle attended the start with team members Paul Copley, David Crawford, John Fletcher, John Dickinson and Team Chairman Craig Lamb on hand to answer any questions about the team.

Team callout-list member David Crawford (along with his family), and Support Group members Gillian Gregory (Along with her husband Hindle) and Amanda Strickleton stayed to represent the team throughout the Carol Concert.

There follows an account of the Concert by Team Support Group member Gillian Gregory;

“The United Reformed Church of St Andrew & St George, Bolton, held their Carols 4 Christmas this afternoon in a beautifully decorated church.

As Bolton Mountain Rescue Team had kindly been chosen to benefit from the retiring collection, team members Paul Copley, John Fletcher, David Crawford, John Dickinson and Team Chairman, Craig Lamb, were on hand before the start of the service to show support for the event and answer any questions from the attending congregation.

The congregation were then shown a DVD of Mountain Rescue work so they had a good understanding of the local charity they were being asked to support.

Lorna Rushton

David Crawford with his wife and mother stayed to enjoy the service along with Support Group members, Gillian Gregory with her husband and Amanda Strickleton with her mum – and what a pleasure it was to be entertained with beautiful singing from Tony Berry of the Houghton Weavers, who opened the concert with his choice of Christmas songs and carols, followed by Maggi Burns, St Peter & Paul’s Primary School Choir, and Lorna Rushton accompanied on the piano by Richard Fairclough.

The Brixi Singer, Lorna Rushton, Maggi Burns

Following a refreshment break for free drinks, warm mince pies and chocolates, it was time to enjoy the second half of the concert with further wonderful singing from Maggi, Lorna and The Brixi Singers.

The afternoon concluded with organist, Brian Smith, leading the artistes and congregation in raising the roof with Christmas carols.

The Brixi Singers

Revd Mark Bates (r) thanks organiser Les Shorrock

Reverend Mark Bates then called Les Shorrock to the stage to thank him for all his hard work in organising such a wonderful event, warmly endorsed by the large congregation. Mark then reminded those present about the charity to be supported – Bolton Mountain Rescue Team -explaining the local urban nature of our work, and asking everyone to be generous in their support – and so they were!

The retiring collection amounted to the incredible sum of £714.20.

David Crawford receives the donation from organiser Les Shorrock

Gillian, Amanda, David and families wish to express their heartfelt personal thanks for a really enjoyable afternoon – to Les, Mark, the artistes, the caterers, church members who worked behind the scenes, and the generosity of the congregation; the entire membership of Bolton Mountain Rescue Team add their sincere thanks for the contribution towards their work.”