MORE than one hundred musicians gathered for a celebratory performance to mark the 25th anniversary of Ramsbottom Music Festival.

Prize winners from over the past 25 years poured into Bolton Road Methodist Church to perform at the Silver Jubilee Concert, all in aid of Bury Hospice.

Ramsbottom Music Festival (RMF) was founded by the late Peter Fielding, a well-known musician and piano teacher from Ramsbottom, with the aim of showcasing the talent of young people.

The popular annual festival provides a platform for up to 800 performers of all ages.

RMF Chairman Mary Crehan said: "Ramsbottom Music Festival has grown to be one of the most successful of its kind in the region.

"Many participants have gone on to become professional musicians. Others have continued to make music part of their lives by playing for pleasure or participating in amateur choirs and orchestras."

She added: "The proceeds of the concert have been donated to Bury Hospice in memory of Peter Fielding, who

spent the last days of his life in the care of its wonderful nursing staff."

The large celebration performance featured talent from Bury, Ramsbottom, Bolton and Prestwich, as musicians and singers took to the stage in acknowledgement of the part the festival has played in their lives.

The Mayor of Bury, Cllr Dorothy Gunther, who was one of the festival founders, shared about RMF's early days in a short speech at the event.

The Jubilee concert was opened by Hazelhurst Primary School Brass Band, who first entered the competition in 2012.

An eclectic mix of talent followed, including instrumental solos by Nareece Forrest, who is now principal cellist with the Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra, Anna Williams, a previous prize-winner in harp, viola, recorder and voice, and Alexandra Clarke, who is now a contender for the National Youth Orchestra.

The audience was later treated to a piano duet, a performance by Bolton Cancer Voices and music by guitarist William Hargreaves.

The second half comprised music from the Wigan Pier Town Chorus, cellist Lucy Jackson, and a lively performance of Rhythm of Life by Bury Catholic Preparatory School Choir.

Most of the children taking part had learnt the piece by rote in only three weeks.

Gifted flautists, sisters Laura and Sarah Manship, then wowed the crowd with their performance of Doppler's Andante and Rondo, accompanied by pianist Jason Hawkins.

The celebration was closed with a spectacular performance by Lucy Warm, who has been a pupil at Chetham's school of music since she was 11.

The multiple international prize-winner, who is a contender in this year's BBC Young Musician competition, performed Prokofiev’s 'Suggestion Diabolic'.