Bury
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- This article is about the town of Bury. For burial, see burial. For other uses, see bury (disambiguation).
Template:GBdot Bury is a town on the northern side of Greater Manchester in North West England, between Rochdale and Bolton and just west of the M66. It is the largest town in the Metropolitan Borough of Bury.
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History
Bury was first mentioned as a parish in 962 AD and also contains several Roman ruins. It remained a small town until the Industrial Revolution when the proximity to Manchester and the abundant supply of fast running water for waterwheels allowed a dearth of factories to spring up in the area (similarly for Rochdale and Bolton). The primary product was cotton cloth which was taken to Manchester which was to become a world port thanks to the Manchester Ship Canal (together with Liverpool).
Sport
Bury has a professional football club, Bury F.C., which plays at Gigg Lane.
Arts
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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.
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.
Education
Bury Grammar School has existed since the 16th Century, and Bury College since 1991.
Media
Local radio is provided by Tower FM, a station based in nearby Bolton which broadcasts across both towns.
The town's local newspaper is the Bury Times, although the Manchester Evening News and Bolton Evening News are also widely available.
Attractions
Attractions in Bury include:
- The East Lancashire Railway, a heritage railway which runs from the town to Heywood, Ramsbottom and Rawtenstall.
- Bury's 'world famous' market, which has been on the same site for nearly 600 years; the original license for a market was granted in 1444.
- The regimental Museum of the Lancashire Fusiliers.
Cuisine
Bury is known for its black pudding – so much so, that it is not uncommon to see it as "Bury black pudding" on a menu.
Famous People from Bury
- Sir Robert Peel, the nineteenth century British Prime Minister best known today for the repeal of the corn laws and the invention of the modern police force (hence the terms "bobbies" and "Peelers"), was born in Bury. A monument (Peel Tower) now exists to his memory. As this is situated nearly 1,000 feet above sea level, it is easily recognizable 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 exists in the Market Square.
- John Kay, the inventor of the Flying shuttle, one of the key inventions of the Industrial Revolution.
- Cherie Blair, the wife of the current Prime Minister Tony Blair, was born in Bury.
- Rock band Elbow was formed in Bury.
- Comedienne Victoria Wood is from Bury.
- Footballers Gary Neville, Philip Neville, Andy Goram and netball player Tracy Neville were all born in Bury.
- Author Richmal Crompton was born in Bury.
- Musician Peter Skellern was born in Bury.
- World cycling champion Reg Harris was born in Birtle, near Bury.
External links
- Bury Metropolitan Borough Council (http://www.bury.gov.uk/)
- Peel Tower, follies and folly towers (http://www.follies.btinternet.co.uk/peel.html)
- Bury Grammar School (http://www.burygrammarschoolboys.co.uk/)
- East Lancs Railway (http://www.east-lancs-rly.co.uk/)
- The Met arts centre (http://www.themet.biz/)
- Bury Art Gallery and Museum (http://www.bury.gov.uk/Bury/CouncilServices/Leisure/Arts/artgallerymuseum.asp)