I WANT to place on record my thanks to those who have made the Mayor's Charity events so successful.

The sponsorship and support I have received has helped to ensure that events such as the Charter Ball should be not only enjoyable, but, more importantly, should be highly successful in raising funds for the Mayor's Charity.

As Mayor I decided to support the Bolton Coronary Care Appeal as my main charity, but I also wanted to raise money for Bolton Sea Cadets, Canon Slade School Charity, Smithills School Band and Barnardo's. All will benefit from the generous support of the sponsors, helped by those attending the various charity events.

The Charter Ball is, of course, the major charity evening, but many people have also helped to raise funds throughout the year at numerous events. To them all I extend my sincere thanks.

Everyone can help. All the proceeds, not only from the Charter Ball, but from the Flower Festival and sales of the Charter and the Charter Brochure will add to the sums I can hand over to these worthwhile charities at the end of my mayoral year. Please help by supporting these and in any way you can.

I hope that the Charter Events will prove a most enjoyable occasion and an enormous success, so that not only charity, but also Bolton will benefit as a result. The Charter Ball, Mediaeval Market, Flower Festival, and the many church services throughout the Borough offer us all the opportunity to celebrate Bolton's 750th Birthday.

I am looking forward to this "Celebration of Bolton" with eager anticipation. I hope that you will join in some of the events and that we all have a most enjoyable weekend.

Councillor John Walsh OBE

Mayor of Bolton