Bury . . .Memories of A Market Town

Bury was for centuries a small market town at the junction of two important highways. Like a string of other towns in South East Lancashire it grew during the Industrial Revolution and still bears some of its scars. But today it is moving forward confidently to the future while preserving the best traditions of the past. On this video we see Bury as it is and as it was. We see the famous market still flourishing amid the malls amd squares of the modern Mill Gate shopping centre. At the bus/rail interchange the pioneering Metro link 'trams' arrive from the heart of Manchester, while down the road proud locomotives of an earlier age steam along the East Lancashire Railway. Back then to the past, to Edwardian Bury and unique film taken in 1907; Radcliffe in festive mood in 1935 to celebrate the granting of their Charter; a football match at Gigg Lane in the 30s and the visit to Bury of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1938; a pre-war parade of cadets at Bury Grammar School while younger boys enjoy a summer camp in North Wales.

A glimpse of the war years with civil defence exercises at Ramsbottom then, with the return of peace, the opening of the new Town Hall by the new Queen in 1954. Third Division League Championship success for Bury Football Club in 1961 then a last nostalgic look at the old streets of the town before the bulldozers moved in; Princess Street, Agur Street, Hemingways in Garden Street, the last day of the Derby Hotel and many more. This unique video presents rare video material of value to everyone who has a feeling for Bury and its past.

Narrator: Tony Hawkin