IT was an evening of celebration for Bury Grammar School Girls as they held their annual prize-giving event at The Bridgewater Hall in Manchester last Monday.

Pupils and parents of the Bridge Street school attended the 2,341-seater musical venue for the event which included a variety of speeches, musical performances and the awarding of prizes to girls from Year 7 to the Upper Sixth leavers.

The evening began with a rendition of the national anthem by the school orchestra, followed by a performance of Ralph Vaughan Williams's ‘English Folk Songs Suite’.

Head girl Charlotte Marshall, aged 17, and deputy Georgia Willetts, also 17, then gave speeches before the audience were treated to the sound of the Festival Choir, who performed ‘The Rose’ by Amanda McBroom and ‘Fields of Gold’ by Sting.

The distribution of prizes followed an address from former head girl Dr Francesca Moore, a string performance featuring a solo from Lucy Jackson, aged 17, and renditions of ‘The World in Union – Skarbek’ and ‘Like an Eagle – Strommen’ by years 7, 8 and 9.

The evening concluded with the singing of the school song – Sanctas Clavis Fores Aperit.

Headmistress Jo Anderson said: “Prize-giving was again both inspirational and hugely enjoyable.

“It is a wonderful opportunity to review the past year with parents and pupils, experience some wonderful music and celebrate all of our incredible successes.”