St George's Day celebration

Photo: Laura Wild

St George's day celebrated by an evening of music from Rochdale’s musicians

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The Mayor of Rochdale and guests came together this evening (Friday 23 April 2010) to celebrate St George’s Day with a selection of the town’s finest musicians.

Entertainment was courtesy of the Rochdale Schools’ Concert Orchestra, the Rochdale Youth Orchestra and local bands ‘Drifting Over Miller’ and ‘That’s All Folk.’

The St George's Day celebration was organised by the Rochdale Music Service to raise money for the Mayor's charities.

The Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Keith Swift said: “I am overwhelmed tonight with the number of mums, dads, grandmas, granddads and aunties and uncles supporting the fantastic young musicians of the borough.

“The Great Hall has not hosted such a wonderful event for a long time and it seems an ideal location to hear the combined orchestra celebrating St George's Day.”

The Town Hall was full of people eager to hear the musicians and celebrate St George’s day in style.

Richard Charles organised the event on behalf of the Rochdale Music Service, he was particularly pleased with the turnout and how hard everybody worked to put on the show.

John Kay from the Mayor's fundraising committee, and a director of Rochdale Online, applauded the evening, he said: “The atmosphere in the Town Hall tonight has been great. Sometimes the acoustics aren’t very good but to have the musicians playing in and amongst the audience has been a great experience.”

Fundraiser Ken Davies MBE added: “Tonight has gone really well, to see the place full is a real bonus.

“I am delighted this year has gone so well for the Mayor and the whole committee is delighted.

“We must recognise the efforts of Sue Verity from the Rochdale Junior Youth Orchestra, Richard Charles from the Rochdale Music Service and ‘Drifting Over Miller’ from the Back Door Music Project.”

Mr Davies added: “I would also like to thank the catering staff at the town hall as well; we have had more people than we initially thought, with some people paying on the door, and they have coped extremely well.”