Metropolitan Borough of Bury, Greater Manchester

The Town & Borough of Bury
In the Greater Manchester Metropolitan County

The Arms of Bury

The Bury Corporate Logo

The Coat of Arms of Bury

Bury's Coat of Arms contains aspects and symbols taken from all six of its constituent towns - Ramsbottom, Tottington, Bury, Radcliffe, Whitefield and Prestwich. The Motto reads "Forward In Unity". On the Arms itself, the centre 'X' (the saltire) shows lines interwoven, a reference to its textile history, and it is surrounded by the leaves of a papyrus plant to represent paper-making. The ram's and bullock's heads on either side of the shield were taken directly from the crests of Ramsbottom and Tottington respectively.
The fact that the principal colour of the shield is silver alludes to Whitefield. The supporting creatures are taken from the crests of Radcliffe and Prestwich and represent 2 of their old established families, the Radcliffes and the Egertons. They wear the red rose of Lancashire and a blue cogwheel, to represent the county and the once great industrial base of Bury.
The mythic wyverne creature which surmounts the Arms is seated in a six castellated crown to represent the six towns. The town's Corporate Symbol (below left) also incorporates this theme, with six 'bs' representing the six towns, arranged to form a Lancashire Rose, the emblem of the county.
Until the metropolitan borough reorganisations of the early 1970s, Bury was firmly set in Lancashire, (rather than Manchester), and many local people still regard themselves as Lancastrians.

 

East Lancashire Light Railway

Bolton Street Station, Bolton Street,
Bury, Lancashire BL9 0EY
Tel: 0161-764 7790 (weekends) & 0161-705 5111 (weekdays)

To quote ELR's own literature "a trip on the East Lancashire Railway is a journey back in time". If the age of steam is to your taste then a trip on a steam train through the beautiful Rossendale Valley could be just the ticket.
The original rail line was opened in 1846 to link the Manchester to Bolton line with Radcliffe, and continued along the Irwell Valley to Rawtenstall. But the Rawtenstall-Bury line failed to maintain viable goods and passenger traffic so that it would have been closed down and dismantled, had it not been for the East Lancs Preservation Society. With some help from Bury and Rossendale Councils, the line was reopened in 1987.
Nowadays, you can travel the line on original steam (and occasionally diesel) rolling stock, through several picturesque station halts which have retained all the charm and nostalgia of the bygone age which they represent. The line runs a regular weekend steam passenger service from January to November, and a round trip return ticket is well worth purchasing.

OPERATING TIMES & PRICES
Trains operate on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays, with many specialist events and enthusiasts weekends. Weekday services also operate on weekdays in August. Phone to check on times. The full one-way trip includes stops at Bury, Summerseat, Ramsbottom, Irwell Vale, and Rawtenstall, and a full return ticket costs about £7.00 (at time of going to press), with concessionary reductions for senior citizens and children. Children under 5 go free. Day rover tickets also available.

HIRE YOUR OWN TRAIN
Trains are available for private charter. Contact the Passenger Manager (Tel: 0161 764 7790)

DINER TRAIN
For a nostalgic evening of wine food and steam, telephone 0161 764 7790 for details.

SANTA SPECIALS
Operate in December. Booking forms are available at ELR stations from August, or by post on receipt of SAE.

MEMBERSHIP
Join the East Lancashire Railway Preservation Society to become involved with volunteers in the running and operational aspects of ELR. Members benefits include good concessions on fares, and access to the many events that take place during the year. Subscription rates currently about £9.00 for one year's full membership, lower for junior members and senior members, and a life membership is around £180.00.
Contact: The Membership Secretary,
East Lancs. Railway Preservation Society,
Bolton Street Station, Bury, Lancashire BL9 0EY.
Telephone: 0161 764 7790 weekends or 0161 705 5111 weekdays.

 

Regimental Museum of the
Lancashire Fusiliers

Wellington Barracks, Bolton Road, Bury BL8 2PL
Telephone: 0161-764 2208.

This museum traces the 300 year history of the Lancashire Fusiliers from 1688 to 1968. On display is a great deal of important military memorabilia including items which belonged to James Wolfe, the Battle of Minden, Napoleonic relics, mementoes of the Crimean War, the Battle of Omdurman, South African memorabilia of the 1914-18 Great War, and more generally of the Second World War. There is also a collection of military uniforms from Waterloo (1814) to the present day, and a unique collection of medals and silver which includes 4 Victoria Crosses, from 1688 to the present day.
Access to archive material is possible to serious scholars for research purposes by prior arrangement. An entry charge is payable.
Telephone for opening times. The Museum is located on the right hand side of the main A58 road from Bury to Bolton, just over 1 mile from the Bury Town Hall.

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