A concert to benefit the Michael Elliott Trust

The last time CdeB played Manchester was a freezing cold December night at the Apollo theatre... This time it was a warm summer evening when he took the stage at the Bridgewater Hall.

It was an unusual concert since it ( and the following night's concert ) were being staged to raise money for the Michael Elliott Trust which operates a donkey sanctuary which is used in giving holidays to special needs children. The trust and sanctuary is at Freshfields Farm, Peak Forest, Derbyshire, SK17 8EE, United Kingdom.

The concert began with June Brown introducing a quartet called "Conspirator" who played several 20th century classics like "Summertime", "Face the Music and dance" and "Eleanor Rigby"

Chris walked on stage to applause and greeted all parts of the auditorium

He started by singing at the piano and followed up with solo guitar on some of the songs Here is your paradise In a Country Churchyard Spanish Train More than this

"Natasha Dance" - from his forthcoming album The Simple Truth Borderline Stay Forevermore A Spaceman came travelling

Always on my mind - here Chris sang accompanied by Peter on keyboard and Neil on guitar. Lonely Sky Sailing Away - Gradually the rest of the band came on stage Loves got a hold on me Oh my braveheart

Chris greeted 3 young ladies who walked across Ireland and then to Macnhester with donkeys to raise funds for the Trust.

As the band got into the swing of the evening, the tempo increased...the only time Chris was still was when he sipped a glass of water! Brother John ( with House of the Rising Sun in the middle ) Hotel California So beautiful Missing you It's me & I'm ready to go

Lady in Red was revitalised by 3 Chris de Burghs at once - Alan James ( from the Harewood concert ) and Ian Moore ( winner of the 1999 Stars in Your Eyes contest )

Revolution - all 3 parts Allan Clarke from "The Hollies" pop group came on stage and praised the work that Chris and his wife Diane have done over the years for children and childrens charities!

About 60 schoolchildren from the Stockport, Macclesfield and north Derbyshire areas cam onstage to help with the remaining songs. One More Mile The Snows of New York

Don't Pay the Ferryman - the children were especially vocal on "Don't do it"

As an Encore Say Goodbye to it all High on Emotion Hey Jude When I think of you - from the new album

All the pictures on this page were taken with a Konica BM130 Advanced Photo System camera on Kodak Advantix 200 film.

Douglas I. Smith, dis@cix.co.uk