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Neighbouring towns, villages and places.
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Bury is located in the foothills of the western Pennines in North West England in the northern part of the Greater Manchester Urban Area. The River Irwell flows through the town and this position has proved important in its history and development. Flowing from north to south the river effectively divides the town into two parts on the east and west sides of the valley respectively. The town centre sits close to and above the river on the east side. Bury Bridge is a key bridging point linking the east side of town and the town centre to the western suburbs and Bolton beyond. Other bridges across the river are limited - there is one at Radcliffe Road to the south and at Summerseat to the north. There is also a bridge at the Burrs but this serves a cul-de-sac and does not allow full east–west access. To the south the main tributary, the River Roch, flowing from the east, joins the Irwell close to another significant bridging point, Blackford bridge. This carries the main route south, now the A56, towards Manchester.
The market town was first mentioned as a parish in AD 962. For purposes of the Office for National Statistics, Bury is part of the Greater Manchester Urban Area.
[edit] Divisions and suburbs
[edit] Present day
Bury has a football club, Bury F.C., which plays at Gigg Lane. The club was formed in 1885 and in 1889 they finished runners up in the inaugural season of the Lancashire League. They were elected to the Football League Second Division in 1894, at the same time as Manchester City. They were promoted to Division One at the end of their first season, beating Liverpool in a play-off.[14] More success came in 1900 when they won the FA Cup followed by a further win in 1903. On the second occasion they beat Derby County 6-0 - a record victory for a Cup Final that still stands. The most recent run of success was in 1996 and 1997 when they won promotion from Football League Division Three and Football League Division Two, being Champions in that Division, in successive seasons.
The club plays in League Two, with a thriving Youth and Centre of Excellence department[15] which has recently produced players such as David Nugent, Simon Whaley and Colin Kazim-Richards. Current players such as Andy Bishop and Richie Baker[16] have all been catching the eye of the press as well as other larger teams and all look to have a bright future. Former legends include free scoring Craig Madden, old timers Norman Bullock and Henry Cockburn, Neville Southall, Dean Kiely, Lee Dixon, Colin Bell, Terry McDermott, Alec Lindsay, John McGinlay, Trevor Ross and John McGrath.
Gigg Lane is also used by FC United of the North West Counties First Division. FC United is a breakaway group of former Manchester United fans adhering to the anti Malcolm Glazer movement.[17] FC United's attendances are extremely competitive with those of Bury FC themselves. Until 2002 Manchester United Reserves were also hosted by Gigg Lane in Bury.
The Met arts centre, based in the Derby Hall on Market Street, is a small performing arts venue promoting a programme of theatre, music and comedy events. The Met has hosted famous comedy acts such as Steve Coogan and Eddie Izzard in their days before fame.[18]
Bury Art Gallery and Museum on Moss Street is home to a fine collection of Victorian and 20th century art, including works by Turner, Constable, Landseer and Lowry. In 2005 a £1.2 million refurbishment was carried out, designed to provide a brand new museum, art gallery and library all under one roof. This includes a combined Museum & Archives Centre which, based on a radical re-think, uses artefacts, documentation and art to tell the story of the town.[19] The most recent renovation includes modern artefacts such as iPods and electric iRobit hoovers.[20]
The council decided in 2006 to sell Lowry's "The Riverbank" at auction in order to fund part of its Social Services budget shortfall. This has resulted in the government's Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) removing Bury Council's accredited museum status. The authority will now have limited funding options and will be ineligible for some grants.[21] The Lowry sale raised more than anticipated and some of the money will be used to develop of a new town centre museum for the Lancashire Fusiliers. This will move into the old School of Arts and Crafts on Broad Street opposite the town's Museum, Art Gallery and Library, from the existing, inadequate building on Bolton Road.[22] .
Bury is also at the heart of the largest public art scheme in the UK -the Irwell Sculpture Trail. Works in Bury include ones by Ulrich Ruckriem, at Radcliffe and Edward Allington, at Ramsbottom with his "Tilted Vase". Ulrich Ruckriem[23] is one of Germany's most eminent artists best known for his monumental stone sculptures. His sculpture in Radcliffe, on the site of the former Outwood Colliery, is one of his largest stone settings to date. Edward Allington's Tilted Vase sits in the Market Place in the centre of Ramsbottom and has become a distinctive feature of interest.
[edit] Education
- Colleges
- High schools located in the town include
[edit] Places of interest
Attractions in Bury include:
Bury railway station at the East Lancashire Railway
.
- The East Lancashire Railway, a heritage railway which runs from the town to Heywood, Ramsbottom and Rawtenstall. Based at Bury Bolton Street railway station.
- Bury Museum and Art Gallery, containing the Wrigley collection of paintings including works by Turner, Cox, and De Wint.
- Bury Castle is a fortified manor house built in the mid 13th century by Sir Thomas Pilkington and is now protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument; the foundations have been excavated and have been open to the public since 2000.[5][25]
- Bury's 'World Famous' Market, which has been on the same site for nearly 600 years; the original licence for a market was granted in 1444. In 2006, out of 1150 markets in the UK, Bury Market was voted the best 'British Market of the Year' by the National Association of British Market Authorities.
- The Regimental Museum of the Lancashire Fusiliers.[26]
- Peel Tower, Harcles Hill,[27] above Holcombe village, Ramsbottom. The Peel Tower was built in remembrance of Sir Robert Peel, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and founder of the police force, who was born in Bury. Hundreds of people climb to the tower each year on Good Friday. Historically this gathering had a principally religious purpose since the hill is said to be strikingly similar to the hill that Jesus is said to have climbed before he was crucified on Good Friday (Calvary).
- Bury Parish Church[28] on the Market Place in the centre of the town.
- Silver Street and environs contain many examples of mid-Victorian architecture, using York stone, from the pre-Gothic revival period.
[edit] Cuisine
Bury is known for its black puddings[29] so much so, that it is not uncommon to see it as "Bury Black Pudding" on a menu. Bury simnel cake is also a variant of the cake originating in Bury. Bury is also notable for tripe, though there is little demand for this in modern times.
[edit] Notable people
Statue of Robert Peel in Bury
[edit] Pre 20th century
- Henry Dunster, born in Bury, at Bolholt, in 1609 and became the first President of Harvard University, USA. He based his development of the university on the British model eg Cambridge, where he had studied at Magdalene College.
- John Kay, the inventor of the Flying Shuttle, one of the key inventions of the Industrial Revolution. He was born to a yeoman farming family at Park, a tiny hamlet just North of Bury, on June 17, 1704. A memorial to John Kay stands in the heart of Bury - in Kay Gardens.[30] He also features as one of twelve subjects portrayed in the epic Manchester Murals, by Ford Madox Brown, that decorate the Great Hall, Manchester Town Hall and depict the history of the city. The piece shows John Kay being smuggled to safety as rioters, who feared their jobs were in danger, sought to destroy looms whose invention he had made possible. This was a key moment in the struggle between labour and new technology. He eventually fled to France and died in poverty.
- Sir Robert Peel (1788-1850), the 19th century British Prime Minister best known today for the repeal of the Corn Laws and his introduction of the modern police force (hence the terms "Bobbies" and "Peelers"), was born in Bury. He is also notable for forming the famous British Police division, 'Scotland Yard' in London. A monument, Peel Tower, now exists to his memory. As this is situated nearly 1,000 feet above sea level, it is easily recognisable for miles around. The tower itself was not built for Sir Robert, but to provide work for local workers and was later dedicated to him. A statue of Sir Robert Peel stands in Market Place, outside the Robert Peel public house.
- James Wood, Dean of Ely Cathedral and Master of St John's College, Oxford was born Bury in 1760. A pupil at Bury Grammar School, he won an exhibition to St John's College and was a College tutor from 1789 to 1814. During this time he published the 'Principles of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy'. He was appointed Dean of Ely in 1820. He served as Master of St John's from 1815 and left his library to the College upon his death in 1839.[31]
[edit] 20th century
- Professor Sir John Charnley, born, son of a Bury pharmacist, in Bury in 1911.[33] He wrote 'The Closed Treatment of Common Fractures', first published in 1950 which became a standard text for the subject. His subsequent achievement in developing hip replacement surgery, in 1962, is acknowledged as a ground breaking development that changed the approach to orthopaedic surgery. The John Charnley Research Institute, Wrightington Hospital, near Wigan was named in his honour. This is where he worked when developing hip replacement surgery. He was knighted for his work in 1977.
- Lord Hewart of Bury, born Gordon Hewart in Bury in 1870, died 1943. A Liberal MP, then Attorney General and Cabinet member and eventually Lord Chief Justice from 1922 to 1940. Author of the phrase 'It is not merely of some importance but is of fundamental importance that justice should not only be done, but should manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done'.
[edit] 20th & 21st centuries: Sports personalities
Football
- Bentley, David, professional football player for Blackburn Rovers F.C. Lives in Bury.
- Goram, Andy, professional football player for numerous teams including Manchester United F.C.
- Holland, Matt, professional football player for Charlton Athletic F.C.
- Neville, Gary, professional football player for Manchester United F.C.
- Neville, Philip, professional football player for Everton F.C.
- Neville, Neville, father to Gary, Philip and Tracey,
- Thornley, Ben, former professional football player for Manchester United F.C.
Other Sports
- Harris, Reg, world cycling champion was born in Birtle, near Bury in 1920. He won two silver medals at the 1948 Summer Olympics, held in London, and also won a British title at the age of 54.
- Kelly, Barrie, sprinter who competed in the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, the 1966 and 1970 Commonwealth Games in Jamaica and Edinburgh and two European championships, Budapest in 1966 and Athens in 1969. He was British Champion, indoors and outdoors at 60m and 100m several times during this period.
- Neville, Tracey, twin sister to Phil Neville and professional netball player for England.
- Parry, Gareth (Gaz), Rock Climbing. One of Britain's most successful rock climbers. A former British champion in 1996 and 2002. Competed for Great Britain at the highest level for many years. Current British bouldering team coach.
- Smith, Lawrie, yachtsman, arguably Britain's most successful racing sailor. Leant to sail at Elton Sailing Club, Bury. Won bronze medal at Barcelona Olympics in 1992, and the Fastnet Race. Skippered British Challenger in America's Cup and finished fourth in Whitbread Round the World Race in 1989/90.
[edit] 20th & 21st centuries: Music, television and the media
- Atkinson, Gemma, actress and glamour model was born in Bury. Attended Castlebrook High School
- Boyle, Danny, film producer and director was born in Radcliffe, near Bury.
- Cotton, Antony, born Antony Dunn in Bury. Actor and regular in Coronation Street (Sean Tully). Pupil at Woodhey High School, Holcombe Brook.
- Crompton, Richmal, author was born on Manchester Road, Bury (A plaque marks the house).
- Myra Nun, Prudes Like Us, Fair Warning, born in Bury
- Elbow, contemporary/alternative rock band was formed in Bury.
- Jack, Donald, Canadian-based author born in Radcliffe, near Bury.
- Little, Ralf, actor was born in Bury.
- Littler, Matt, Hollyoaks actor was born in Bury. Attended The Elton High School (1992-1998)
- Marsh, Connor, child actor was born in and lives in Bury.
- McCluskey Andy bass guitar Purple effect
- Noble, guitarist from British Sea Power is from Bury.
- Riley, Lisa, actress and TV presenter was born in Burnley but raised in Bury, attending St Gabriel's R.C. High School.
- Sanderson, Nikki, actress, singer and glamour model was born in Bury.
- Shaw, Suzanne pop singer, formerly of Hear'Say, was born in Bury and attended St Gabriel's R.C. High School.
- Skellern, Peter, musician, was born in Bury. Attended Derby High School.
- Sugden, Rhian, glamour model, born in Bury.
- Wallace, Ian, drummer with various groups including King Crimson. Born in Bury, pupil at Bury Grammar School.
- Williams, Layton, actor and dancer.
- Wood, Victoria, comedienne and actress, was born in Prestwich and attended Bury Grammar School For Girls.
- Allen, Fiona, comedienne and actress, lives in Bury.
- Muir, Ken, renowned synalist, and creator of the Synalytics movement, came from Bury.
[edit] Members of Parliament
[edit] Twin towns
[edit] References
- , Anon (2003-07-31). A select gazetteer of local government areas, Greater Manchester County (http). Greater Manchester County Records Office. Retrieved on 2007-07-09.
- , Bury MBC Visitors' Guide
- , The Reverend Arthur J Dobb DA(Manc), Vicar of Bircle (1970) '1846 Before and After - A Historical Guide to the Ancient Parish of Bury'
- , http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/tcsc/millennium2/Castle/Bury_Castle.htm Bury Castle
- , a b Bury Castle. Pastscape.org.uk. Retrieved on 2008-01-04.
- , The Reverend Arthur J Dobb DA(Manc), Vicar of Bircle (1970) '1846 Before and After - A Historical Guide to the Ancient Parish of Bury'
- , http://www.spinningtheweb.org.uk/m_display.php?irn=50&sub=nwcotton&theme=places&crumb=Bury Spinning the Web
- , R. Mc Neil and M. Nevell (2000) A Guide to the Industrial Archaeology of Manchester
- , Jean Bannister (1974) From Parish to Metro - Two Centuries of Local Government in a Lancashire Town
- , K B Smellie (1946) History of Local government
- , Health of Towns Commission
- , Geoffrey Moorhouse (1992) Hell's Foundations - A Town, Its Myths and Gallipoli - ISBN 0-340-43044-3
- , Terry Wyke (2004) Public Sculpture of Greater Manchester- ISBN 0853235678
- , Peter Cullen 'Bury FC 1885-1999 The Official History', ISBN 1 874427 28 3
- , Bury F.C. Youth and Centre of Excellence Official Web Site
- , Bury FC official web site
- , Bury F.C. Official Web Site
- , The Met arts centre
- , 24 Hour Museum
- , Bury Art Gallery and Museum
- , BBC News Story
- , Lancashire Fusilleers, Museum Appeal
- , Ulrich Ruckriem
- , Bury Grammar School Website
- , Bury Castle. Eduweb.co.uk. Retrieved on 2008-01-04.
- , Fusilier's Museum, Lancashire
- , Ordnance Survey Map showing Harcles Hill and Bull Hill on Holcombe Moor to the north-east
- , Bury Parish Church
- , BBC News Report, Bury Black Pudding & Bury's World Famous Market
- , Terry Wyke (2004) Public Sculpture of Greater Manchester- ISBN 0853235678
- , http://janus.lib.cam.ac.uk/db/node.xsp?id=EAD%2FGBR%2F0275%2FWood Papers of Dr James Wood
- , "Profile: Cherie Blair", BBC, 19 June 2002
- , http://rheumatology.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/41/7/824 Professor Sir John Charnley (1911–1982)
[edit] External links
(Source: Wikipedia) |
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