Modern Mooch

Toys Were Us – Milton Keynes

Posted on April 18, 2024April 18, 2024 by modernmoocher

As seen on my list in 2018.

While originally considered a category killer, the rise of mass merchants and online retailers cost Toys “R” Us its share of the toy market. The company was further hampered by a significant debt load, the result of a leveraged buyout organized by private equity firms.

The toy retailer filed for bankruptcy in 2017 and in March 2018 announced it would be closing all its UK stores.

There were more than 100 Toys ‘R’ Us stores in the UK at the time.

Wikipedia

A nipper, named only as Andrew penned a heartfelt 3-point letter to the judge handling the company’s bankruptcy case, and pleaded with him not to allow his fave shop to close down.

Andrew’s hand-written note to Judge Keith Phillips – which was put in the official court file – laid out exactly why he didn’t want the shops to shut.

In April 1948, Charles P Lazarus founded a baby-furniture retailer, Children’s Bargain Town in Washington DC, during the postwar baby boom. It was acquired in 1966 by Interstate Department Stores Inc.

The focus of the store changed in June 1957, and the first Toys “R” Us, dedicated exclusively to toys rather than furniture, was opened by Lazarus in Rockville Maryland. Lazarus also designed and stylized the Toys “R” Us logo, which featured a backwards “R” to give the impression that a child wrote it.

Having grown up in the days of the diminutive local toy shop – noses pressed against the widow admiring those treasures never ever owned, I find the present day retailers to be soulless industrial hangars – designed to extract every ounce of fun and currency from the hapless child and guardians.

Eric Ravilious – inside the model shop.

I returned in 2024.

A large To Let sign is now visible above the store, with any interested parties invited to inquire about the large unit. The 47,500sq foot unit is available to lease – in whole or in part, and is described as being immediately available.

The news comes despite previous announcements that WHP Global, the owner of Toys R Us, had plans to re-open some UK stores during 2022. In February, the company said UK Toys R Us stores could open within months, although none have yet done so.

Here is Autistic Psycho’s tour around the deserted store,

Milton Keynes Central Railway Station

Posted on April 13, 2024 by modernmoocher

302 Elder Gate Milton Keynes MK9 1LA

Milton Keynes Central railway station serves Milton Keynes and surrounding parts of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire. The station is located on the West Coast Main Line about 50 miles northwest of London. The station is served by Avanti West Coast intercity services, and by West Midlands Trains regional services.

A new station to delimit the western end of the new central business district of Milton Keynes was a key objective for Milton Keynes Development Corporation. In the cash-strapped circumstances of the 1960s and 1970s, British Rail was unenthusiastic but eventually came round after a deal was done in 1978 on cost sharing. In 1979, MKDC architect Stuart Mosscrop designed the station building and office blocks to either side, framing a new Station Square and the vista uphill along Midsummer Boulevard – and the midsummer sunrise.

The station opened on 14 May 1982, with an official opening by Charles, then Prince of Wales, conducted three days later.

Mother of two Jo Francis leans in for a kiss.

Older people are remembering when he previously came to Milton Keynes:

Crowds stood around the forecourt of the Tickford Street factory to watch, cheer and wave flags. Then suddenly, a five year old boy called Matthew Turvey reached into his mum’s shopping basket, took out a tin of baked beans and held them out to the young Prince.

Would you like these for your lunch? – he asked.

Wikipedia

Proposed designs for architecture and town planning of Milton Keynes: boulevard and railway station – 1970 Derek Walker Associates

1981 – Built using a high performance reflective solar control glass called Vari-Tran, creating a complete curtain wall to cover the whole construction.

RIBApix

I first visited in 2018

I returned on April 10th 2024 – this is what I saw.

Later that same day – on the way home.

Right away driver – he was dismayed that there had been another train let go along the line.

AMC – The Point Milton Keynes

Posted on April 13, 2024April 13, 2024 by modernmoocher

602 Midsummer Blvd Milton Keynes MK9 3NB

Famous in the history of British cinema as being the first purpose built multiplex cinema to be built in the UK. The 10-screen AMC-The Point opened on 23rd November 1985 with a Royal Premiere of the Harrison Ford film Presumed Innocent which was attended by Sarah, Duchess of York.

Built for and operated by American Multi-Cinemas, it has a foyer section, designed in the shape of a pyramid, hence the name The Point. The supporting struts were originally edged in red neon. The structure containing the auditoriums is just a plain block. Also in the complex is a Gala Bingo Club located under the cinema foyer entrance, a nightclub and cafes and restaurants.

In December 1988, it was taken over by UCI and re-named. In April 2003 it was leased to easyCinema, operated by the budget airline easyJet, when a policy of taking bookings only online and charging a minimum admission, created interest, but turned out to be a failure. In May 2006 it was taken over by Odeon Cinemas Group. Seating capacities in the screens range from 248, down to 156.

The Odeon was closed on 26th February 2015 with Kingsman, The Last Service being the final film in one its auditoriums. There had been hope that the cinema would be given a Grade II Listed status due to its historical relevance as the UK’s first multiplex cinema, but it was turned down by English Heritage. It will be demolished and replaced by new shops and leisure facilities. The Gala Bingo Club – re-named Buzz Bingo Club from June 2018, was closed on March 21, 2020 due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. It was announced on 15th July 2020 that the closure would be permanent.

Milton Keynes now has a new 16-screen Odeon Stadium + IMAX, located at the MK Dons Stadium, which has an IMAX screen and two screens equipped with Atmos sound. It opened on 27th February, 2015.

Cinema Treasures

Designed by Building Design Partnership, the Point was reputedly inspired by the work of avant grade provocateurs Archigram and became an instant Milton Keynes landmark upon its opening in 1985. As well has being one of the UK’s first multiplex cinemas, the unconventional structure housed a games arcade, bingo hall and nightclub. These individual functions are externally expressed as stacked, mirrored boxes beneath the 70ft bright red steel pyramidal frame – illuminated at night as a space-age beacon across the low-rise city centre.

c20

An application as been submitted by developers GHL – Galliard Holdings Ltd, the intention is to demolish the famous pyramid structure and replace it with 487 new flats in tower blocks of up to 21 storeys high.

MK Citizen

There is a local grassroots campaign to save the Point – with its own Facebook page.

On the day of my visit April 10th 2024 – this is what it looks like.

I’ve known about The Point for as long as I can remember. It’s always been there. When I was a lot younger and we’d drive into MK at night, we’d always look out for the glowing red beacon in the shape of a pyramid on the horizon. It’s an iconic and even historic to Milton Keynes building, and it’s a shame to see that it’s just being left to become a shadow of its former self. I mean it surely wouldn’t cost much to put some led lights on it and light it up at night time again. So much money is wasted elsewhere in the city they should think about the upkeep of the actual landmarks they have.

Bobby D – Local Guide

Launderette – Hanley

Posted on April 7, 2024 by modernmoocher

103 Bucknall New Rd Hanley Stoke-on-Trent ST1 2BG

It began in 2009, with a chance encounter whilst wandering around Wigan and the chance encounter with a Washeteria.

Followed by the publication in 2020 of my best selling book eight launderettes.

Subsequently there have been several more chance encounters with a wide variety of wash houses, in various towns – search this site.

Including one such encounter in Stoke.

Yesterday, Saturday 6th April I was leading a Modernist Mooch around Stoke and Hanley – I arrived five hours before the 1.00 start time and went off to explore nowhere in particular.

I found myself in the Northwood area of Hanley – ascending the long drag of Bucknall New Road, where I espied a launderette, imaginatively named The Launderette.

Early morning and short of the odd customer or two, I seized that moment in time to record this lonely public place – seeking that suspense picture with a surprise finish.

The solitary snapper went about their business.

Hunterian Art Gallery – Glasgow

Posted on April 2, 2024 by modernmoocher

The Gallery is housed in a modern, custom-built facility that is part of the extensive Glasgow University Library complex, designed by William Whitfield.

Sir William Whitfield had roots in concrete and brick brutalism but took contextual postmodernism to a Palladian mansion that traditionalists admired. Principal of a small office for almost 50 years, his diversity of work was shot through with recurring themes and was distinguished by thoughtful synthesis of precedent.

RIBA

This displays the university’s extensive art collection, and features an outdoor sculpture garden.

The bas relief aluminium doors to the Hunterian Gallery were designed by sculptor Eduardo Paolozzi.

The gallery’s collection includes a large number of the works of James McNeill Whistler and the majority of the watercolours of Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

The Mackintosh House is a modern concrete building, part of the gallery-library complex.

The Mackintosh House comprises the principal interiors of the original house – including the dining room, studio-drawing room and bedroom, largely replicating the room layout of the old end-of-terrace building. It features the meticulously reassembled interiors from the Mackintoshes’ home, including items of original furniture, fitments and decorations.

Wikipedia

Collyhurst Pubs

Posted on March 25, 2024March 30, 2024 by modernmoocher

Taking images from the Local Image Collection I have compiled a section of pubs in the Collyhurst area.

There are but a few still open – many long gone, since demolished.

Balmoral Hotel – Cornbrook Brewery

W Kaye 1958

Billy Greens – formerly the Vauxhall

S Marland

Collyhurst Inn – Manchester Brewery Company later Wilsons

W Kaye 1958

The Balloon Vaults – Walker & Homfray’s

H Whitehead 1971

The Globe Inn – Threlfall’s later Whitbread

Dawson 1971

The Grapes Tavern – Joseph Holt

W Kaye 1964

Joiners Arms – Wilsons

W Kaye 1959

Lorimers Arms

S Marland 2022

Lord Clyde – Cornbrook

1958

Mechanics Arms – Cornbrook

E Stanley 1958

Napoleon – McKenna’s later Walker & Homfray then Wilsons

L Kaye 1958

The Osborne – Wilsons later Banks’s

1976

1986

Robert Tinker – Wilsons

A Dawson 1971

Rocester Arms – Empress Brewery

Shakespeare Inn – Wilsons

1934

The Sparrow

Google 2012

The Swan – Wilsons

A Dawson 1971

Three Tuns – Manchester Brewery Company later Threlfall’s

L Kaye 1958

The Valley – now open as The Vines

The Wellington Vaults – Wilsons now open as the Marble Arch

A Dawson 1971

White Hart – Wilsons

T Brooks 1961

1976

Swinton Square – Shopping Centre 2024

Posted on March 18, 2024 by modernmoocher

I was last here in 2022, I returned to Swinton Square on Saturday to lead a modernist walk for the Not Quite Light Festival.

So on a light bright sunny day, I took another look around.

Salford’s town centres are important to the city’s future. They provide employment for local people, retail and leisure opportunities, homes, a sense of community, and a place for local people to interact. However, it is well known that town centres are changing and that they need to adapt and reposition themselves so that they can thrive and meet the needs of the local communities.

Despite Swinton’s many strengths, it faces similar challenges to other towns. The shopping centre and other buildings in the town centre are dated and in need of investment. Demand for local housing has grown by 23% in the last five years, but there is a lack of high-quality family and affordable housing in the right locations in the area.

The city council has identified Swinton town centre – along with Eccles, as a priority area for regeneration. On that basis, the council has engaged with the community and local stakeholders to establish a clear vision for the town that will help to guide change and future investment, whilst protecting what local people consider important for Swinton.

The vision document can be viewed here.

Swinton Square is in private ownership and therefore not something that the council has any direct control over. It is also important to acknowledge that the issues facing Swinton precinct are not unique to Swinton and those challenges are varied but linked to changing shopping habits, decline in the retail offer, competition from out-of-town centres as well as changes in the wider economy.

We do have an open dialogue with the owners of Swinton Square, the West Bromwich Building Society, who are aware of the vision and aspiration for Swinton.

One of the aims of the council’s events and animation programme is to encourage additional footfall and dwell time within the town centre.

Salford Gov

Manchester Arterial – A662

Posted on March 17, 2024 by modernmoocher

Having photographed the arterial roads of Manchester in 2014 I have resolved to return to the task in 2024.

Some things seem to have changed, some things seem to have stayed the same on Ashton New Road.

Manchester Arterial 2024 – A664

Posted on February 29, 2024March 18, 2024 by modernmoocher

Having photographed the arterial roads of Manchester in 2014, I have resolved to return to the task in 2024.

Some things seem to have changed, some things seem to have stayed the same.

Pleasant Street Harpurhey – Manchester

Posted on February 27, 2024February 27, 2024 by modernmoocher

Pleasant Street Harpurhey M9 5XZ

Walking along Rochdale Road yesterday, I was suddenly arrested by the Pleasant Street street sign.

Having already been suddenly arrested last week, by the Bland Close street sign.

With my expectations defined by the above definition, I ventured along the street in search of happy satisfaction.

Coincidentally – The 18th century entrepreneur Josiah Wedgwood pioneered many of the marketing strategies used today, including the satisfaction or you money back guarantee, on the entire range of his pottery products. The money-back guarantee was also a major tool of early US mail order sales pioneers in the United States such as Richard Sears and Powel Crosley Jr. to win the confidence of consumers.

It is also a top tune by Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes!

In 1958 the street looked just like this:

Photo – L Kaye

Whilst ten tears later it looked just like this:

Photos – LH Price

Manchester Local Image Collection

However at someone between 1968 and 2024 the housing had been cleared away – also missing in action is the Golden Lion pub adjoining Pleasant Street on Rochdale Road.

The Golden Lion was a proper old pub on the very busy rochdale road in the Harpurhey area of Manchester. Once inside there was a decent lounge and a basic bar i had a drink in the lounge and this was quite a comfy room.

This pub was a Whitbread tied house and there were two real ales on the bar I had a drink of Chesters bitter and this was a nice drink the other beer was Chesters mild. I thought this was quite a nice pub but sadly this pub has now been pulled down in the name of progress.

Alan Winfield – 1992

So here we are here today – yesterday has long gone and tomorrow never knows no how.

What’s left to see?

Manchester Hand Car Wash

Manchester Tyres

Pleasant Street Allotments

The allotments have had issues with fly tipping back in 2021.

There is now a lockable barrier in place on the cobbled cul-de-sac.

Photo – Howard Bristol

It is understood that the heaps of rubbish, including bin bags full of waste and unwanted wood and cardboard, have been growing in recent weeks.

Howard Bristol, the Secretary of the Pleasant Street allotments committee, said the situation has been ongoing for some time but has worsened since the removal of nearby CCTV cameras.

He told the Evening News that the road has been – piling high with rubbish, and that the area also had issues with the woodland behind the allotments being used for drug dealing during summer.

Pat Karney, councillor for Harpurhey tweeted about the flytipping on Sunday, calling it – unbelievable and disgraceful.

He added that those responsible should be – locked up in Strangeways for a long time, before adding that the council will – get it cleared.

Manchester Evening News

How pleasant is/was Pleasant Street?

Google says wait until there are trees are in leaf and the sun shines in the bright blue sky.

Eastford Square Collyhurst – William Mitchell

Posted on February 26, 2024February 26, 2024 by modernmoocher

It was 2016 when I first stopped to snap and blog – the shops, homes and William Mitchell concrete sculpture.

By then the missing housing block was already missing.

Returning in 2018 the shops are now shut and the homes stand empty.

In 2019 there’s still nobody home, but the totem is in place.

In 2020 the undergrowth has grown over the square.

It’s 2021 and stasis is the order of the day.

Fast forward to 2023 and the shops and homes are finally demolished – the totem still still in place.

The base has been dug out and the sculpture awaits removal to the adjacent flats.

I was told that one estimate for the job was £120,000 – given its weight and location over railway tunnels.

So as of today today 26th February 2024 – ain’t nothing shaking but the weeds twixt the flags.

Oldham Road Pubs – Manchester

Posted on February 24, 2024February 24, 2024 by modernmoocher

This is Oldham Road Manchester – this also Memory Lane.

Walking from the city centre to Failsworth I noted the absence of public houses, some long since demolished, some now serving other purposes – very few open selling beer.

Many of the breweries no longer trading.

Much of this the consequence of changing economic circumstances, the decline in manufacturing and subsequent serious absence in regular drinkers.

I encountered a similar situation on Hyde Road.

Where possible I have linked back to Pubs of Manchester Blogspot and the Brewery History Society.

There may well be errors and omissions which I am happy to correct – have a look let me know.

Bee Hive Inn – Chesters Brewery

Bird In Hand – latterly Ace of Diamonds on the 2nd April 2010 the Ace of Diamonds burnt down.

Hardys’ Ales

Birmingham Tavern – Wilsons Brewery

Cheshire Cheese – John Smiths

City Arms – Groves and Whitnalls

Cloggers Arms – Wilsons

The Copenhagen – Wilsons

Crown & Kettle – Wilsons though now a free house.

I do remember the huge Winston Churchill relief in the Room and R100 Airship wooden panelling in the lounge. Also of note were the ornate plater work ceilings and pendulous lighting, much damaged as the pub awaited restoration.

Duke of York – Wilsons Free House

Foresters Arms – Wilsons

Lord Nelson – Charrington

O’Connell Arms – Whitbread

Old Pack Horse – Wilsons

The Ram – Tetley’s

Royal Oak Hotel – Wilsons

Shears Hotel

St Vincent – Cornbrook

The Swan – Wilsons

Three Crowns – Wilsons

The Victoria – Wilsons

Vulcan Hotel – Threlfalls

Wosons House?

Woodman Hotel – Wilsons

All photographs from the Manchester Local Image Collection.

Bland Close And Brown Street – Failsworth

Posted on February 21, 2024February 22, 2024 by modernmoocher

What’s in a name?

Is there such a thing as nominative determinism when it comes to streets?

The naming of Bland Close as Bland Close seems to me to be an act of municipal cruelty, compounded by the addition of the adjoining Brown Street.

Having previously visited Blank Street in Ancoats I was eager to find out.

Statistically there are no anomalous details, which indicates any discernible difference between the streets and the surrounding area.

Streetcheck

On a February morning the streets were well behaved and consisted of a typical mix of nineteenth century terraces and postwar semis, the residents chatty and welcoming, whilst they went about their business.

There are different causes that can make a street name controversial:

A person, organisation or event who or which was once honoured with a street name is subsequently thought to not or no longer deserve one, for example because that person later turned out to be a criminal.
A group of street names – for example in a residential area, is deemed to be unrepresentative for the population of that place, region or country because some demographics are overrepresented and others underrepresented, for example, because a disproportionate number of streets are named after men, and few after women.

Wikipedia

Research has found that if you live on Pear Tree Lane your property is more likely to attract potential buyers and a higher price, than those living in a similar property on Crotch Lane.

What are the guidelines for street naming?

The exclusion or inclusion of certain numbers for cultural or religious reasons
The use of building names without numbers
New building or street names should not begin with The
The use of street names which include numbers that can confuse, for example – 20 Seven Foot Lane sounds the same as 27 Foot Lane
The use of the names of deceased people in the adoption of any street names. The reason for choosing a person’s name should be established in the council’s policy
The use of the name of a living person – it’s not recommended
The adoption of historic connotations by developers – guidance on this should be provided by the council to all developers through close liaison with local historic societies.
The use of national or local historic figures or events
The use of a name with Royal connotations – the Lord Chamberlain’s office must be contacted if a name has any reference to the Royal family or if the word ‘Royal’ is suggested.
The use of names and their combination with numbers that could be considered rude, obscene, and racist or contravene any aspect of the council’s equal opportunities policies
The use of names and their combination with numbers that could be easily vandalised or changed into any of the above, for example – Canal Turn
The use of names that can cause spelling or pronunciation problems
The use of names that can be construed to be used for advertising or commercial gain
The use of names would lead to variations in the use of punctuation as these can confuse or result in early demands for a change of address from occupiers.

Geo Place

So in summary the name Bland does not in my opinion represent the close’s appearance and may in fact detract from the value of the property and possibly the perception of the area.

Let’s take a look – see what you think.

A Short Walk Along The Weaver

Posted on February 13, 2024February 13, 2024 by modernmoocher

Along with my almost lifelong friend Mr Tim Rushton – I took a trip along a short stretch of the River Weaver, walking from east to west.

River Weaver – rising on the boundary between the counties of Shropshire and Cheshire and then flowing 45 miles north to reach the Irish Sea estuary of the River Mersey to the west of Runcorn.

Below Winsford, the course of the river has been altered several times, by the construction of cuts and locks, to enable small ships to trade on it. The river formerly joined the River Mersey at Weston Marsh, but since the construction of the Manchester Ship Canal, begun in 1887, it has flowed into the canal, from where surplus water enters the Mersey by the Weaver sluices, just upstream of the junction. The tidal river section below Frodsham has been bypassed by the Weston Canal since 1810 and is no longer navigable, as Frodsham Lock is derelict.

Wikipedia

Railway viaduct over River Weaver and adjoining land by A Rendel Engineer and Thomas Brassey, contractor 1848-1850 – for Birkenhead Lancs & Cheshire Junction Railway Co.

Red sandstone, brown brick and cast iron, two segmental-arched iron spans of circa thirty metres over river; two round arches on west bank and twenty one on east bank. Piers to iron spans are rusticated tooled ashlar; the other spans have rusticated voussoirs, pier faces and quoins and rock-faced spandrels with brick reveals, cornice to iron-span piers, plainer imposts to others.

Top of central pier to river modified to take mid C20 concrete track bed.

Grade II Listed

Weaver Viaduct is one of the outstanding features of M56 and its design was approved by the Royal Fine Arts Commission. The three-quarter mile of elevated motorway and approach embankments over the River Weaver and Weaver Navigation Canal opened on 21 February 1971.

Design was by Husband and Co of Sheffield – acting for Department of Environment, who also supervised the project. The contractor was Christiani Shand with a tender price of £3,146,387 in March 1968.

Work began in April 1968 – the eventual cost was put at £3.5 million.

Sabre Roads

Thirty two 125-foot concrete 100-tonne beams were put into place in July 1970; the concrete beams were made by Matthews & Mumby of Windmill Lane Denton.

High-Voltage Frodsham Substation – Rock Savage power station

Rock Savage Power Station is an 800 MWe gas-fired power station.

It was opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 31 July 1998, and owned by InterGen, a company that is now jointly owned by Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and China Huaneng Group, it cost £375m.

It sponsors the Runcorn Jets baseball club, the Highfield Male Voice Choir and the Weston Angling Club.

The name comes from the nearby ruined Elizabethan mansion – Rocksavage.

Wikipedia

Koura Global – leader in the development, manufacture, and supply of fluoro products and technologies, opened a new HFA 152a production facility at their Runcorn site in the UK.

Chiesi, the international research-focused pharmaceuticals and healthcare group, signed a commercial agreement to use the new low carbon footprint medical propellant for inhalation product development and clinical trials in 2019.

Britain from Above 1948

Ineos Chemical Complex formerly ICI Rocksavage Works on the banks of the River Mersey River Weaver and Manchester Ship Canal in Runcorn formerly ICI works of Rocksavage and Castner Kelner Works which produced fluorcarbons such as aerosol propellants dry cleaning solvents and chlorine UK January 2007

Frodsham Wind Farm is one of England’s largest onshore generating stations, and the largest in the Cheshire region, with an installed capacity of more than 50 MW. Construction of the wind farm began in March 2015 and became fully operational in February 2017.

Tapton Hall – Sheffield

Posted on February 8, 2024 by modernmoocher

Shore Lane Sheffield S10 3BU

The Masonic Hall has an extension of 1967 by Hadfield Cawkson Davidson & Partners

The Masonic Hall has an extension of 1967 has a concrete mural by William Mitchell.

Symbolising the turmoil and chaos of the outside world, contrasting with the order of the Masonic Temple – a Freemason told me so.

I thought to propose the idea that this may well be a false dichotomy – then thought I’d better not.

These are the constituent panels.

These are the details.

Having been asked to speak to the Sheffield University Alumni Women’s Group – on the subject of Modernist Sheffield, I had easy access to the interior space.

I was ever so excited to discover these decorative panels on the stairway – I assume that they are also the work of William Mitchell.

Nobody knew.

The Masonic Hall is now a venue in addition to being a Masonic Hall.

It was once the home of steel magnate Edward Vickers.

Vickers was a successful miller who invested his money in the railway industry. In 1828 he garnered control of his father-in-law’s steel foundry business, formerly Naylor & Sanderson, and renamed it Naylor Vickers & Co. He went on to be Alderman and the Mayor of Sheffield and was the first President of the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce before he died in 1897.

Bury Unitarian Church

Posted on February 7, 2024 by modernmoocher

1 Bank Street Bury Lancashire BL9 0DN

The new Bury Unitarian Church was designed and constructed by local architects James T Ratcliffe.

An interesting article was published at the time in Sacred Suburbs Portfolio, in which the church design was described as:

A well detailed, functional, yet flexible building.

The church was opened in 1974, with a service of dedication on Saturday, 9th March. The total cost, including furnishings, was £85,000 – It is now valued at about £1.5 million. The Churchwarden and Chairman of Trustees, at that time, was Bernard Haughton, who had succeeded Alex Rogers; he was to serve the Church in those capacities for the next 25 years. He was succeeded by Barbara Ashworth, our immediate past Warden. During this time, notwithstanding persistent problems with water leakage through its flat roof, the church continued to thrive and develop.

Enhancements have been made to improve the comfort and amenities of the building throughout the period with, for example, the installation of an improved heating – system, a sound – enhancement system in the church, and disabled access facilities including a lift to the upper floor. Through the efforts of Barbara Ashworth – past Church Warden, the proliferation of bequests, legacies and trusts which were complicating and restricting church-finances has been rationalised and the financial structure streamlined. Part of the land at Holebottom has been sold for development, and part has been upgraded as a public amenity.

The current congregation is still one of the best supported Unitarian Churches in the country and remains enthusiastic and committed to the Unitarian faith. There are many social groups including The Women’s League, The Men’s Fellowship, The Luncheon Club the Book Club and most recently, our Camera Club; coffee is served every Saturday morning – a session which welcomes members of the public to the church, some of whom have subsequently become church-members. Frequent social activities are organised by The Efforts Committee and are well-supported by the congregation and their friends and raise money in support of the activities of the church snd local charities.

Church Website

The People Praising by Elizabeth Mulchinock is a 12 foot high original sculpture at the front of the church which represents the family of the church.

Bury Interchange

Posted on February 6, 2024 by modernmoocher

Bury Interchange is a transport hub opened in 1980, it is the northern terminus of the Manchester Metrolink’s Bury Line, which prior to 1992 was a heavy-rail line.

It also incorporates a bus station.

Bury Interchange replaced the bus termini scattered around Bury town centre, notably around Kay Gardens.

Under construction – January 1979

1980 – before the trams.

Class 504 units at the interchange in 1983.

2015 – Allen Williams

Bury Interchange was opened by British Rail in March 1980, integrating a new bus station with the northern terminus of the Bury-to-Manchester heavy railway line, a new short spur line was constructed to connect the new station.

Bury Bolton Street – Ben Brooksbank

The railway had originally run into Bury Bolton Street which was further away from the town centre, and was closed by British Rail on the same day that Bury Interchange opened.

Wikipedia

An £80m transformation is coming to the Bury Interchange, which will see step-free access at the Metrolink, a “vertical circulation core” to better connect the Metrolink with the bus facility, and an integrated travel hub with spaces for cycle storage.

The work is much-needed, explained Transport for Greater Manchester’s Alan Lowe, he said that the interchange was built in the 1980s and very much is of its time.

It’s not what we need for our customers need.

The new Bury Interchange project is expected to complete at the end of the decade.

Place North West

However as of February 2024 – it look like this.

Bury Bolton Street is now operated by the East Lancs Railway.

There are failed plans to reinstate the Bury to Rochdale railway as a Metrolink line.

Bury Knowsley Street railway station.

The line and station were closed on 5 October 1970 as part of continuing cutbacks in British Rail services and the line west to Bolton subsequently dismantled.