Latest news with #Bury
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Rare part of Bury's confectionery history brought 'home' by borough man
A rare part of Bury's manufacturing history has been brought back to the town after a chance sighting. Bensons Confectionery Ltd was once one of the biggest employers in Bury, manufacturing sweet treats to be imported all over the world. Based in Huntley Mount Road, the firm was later taken over by Barker & Dobson and eventually closed its doors for good in 1989. With its bright red exterior and slogan, "something good from Bury", emblazed across the front, the company's distinctive ERF (Edwin Richard Foden) vans transported its famous sweets and toffees up and down the country for decades. When Martin Lowe, 50, from Bury, got word from a friend around five years ago that one of the trucks was parked on a driveway in Wakefield, he knew he had to have a look. Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to the Bury Times morning newsletter as well as our breaking news alerts. The mechanic made the drive to Yorkshire and knocked on the door. After failing to negotiate a sale with the owner, who was intending to 'cut it up and make it into a camper van', he put the truck out of his mind. That was until he got a call a few weeks ago to see if he still wanted to buy it. Martin jumped at the chance and set to work bringing the truck back "home" to Bury. Martin, who owns Heap Bridge MOT centre with his wife, Nicola Lowe, 39, said: 'It needs some work but it's good to be able to bring it back to the area. 'It's a heritage piece and our customers have already been sharing their memories with us. People seem to like it!' One customer shared with Nicola that her and her husband had met while working at the old Bensons factory. Another customer who also used to work at Bensons told Martin how he used to drive the vans from one side of the factory to the other. Nicola added: 'When he [Martin] first told me he was looking at buying another truck, I thought, 'not another one!'" After learning more about the history, she understood why Martin was so enthusiastic about his new purchase, which now sits proudly in the MOT centre on Heap Brow. READ NEXT: The 'true hidden gem' borough restaurant named best in region by top foodie guide READ NEXT: Bury gets ready to host 'bigger and better' food festival for second year It is believed that the truck is only one of two surviving vehicles from the Bensons former seven-strong fleet, making it a rare part of the town's history, and is still roadworthy - despite only reaching top speeds of around 35 miles per hour. Martin's new purchase was first supplied in 1959, with bodywork carried out by J.H Jennings and Sons Ltd and its original reg number - KEN 623 – still intact. The truck was working under Bensons until 1978 when it was purchased by travelling showmen and found a new life at the fair until 1981. It then lay dormant until 1994 when it was partially restored.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
If the rape gang scandal taught us anything, it's that we must be free to criticise ANY religion: MATT GOODWIN
Here's something truly shocking. Ten days after the Hamas terrorists murdered and raped 1,200 Jews in Israel, a radical preacher by the name of Shujauddin Sheikh stood up to speak to a gathering at the Karachi Press Club in . In his address – later broadcast via an Islamic radio station to British Muslims in the northern town of Bury – this rabble-rouser described Jews as 'the biggest enemies of humanity' and shared a number of anti-Semitic tropes.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘We just couldn't compete': Restaurant announces shock closure
A bar and kitchen based in Bury town centre shared a 'heartbreaking' update today (July 20) that it will be closing its restaurant next month. Rawkies Bar and Kitchen opened opposite Bury Parish Church three years ago as a 'dessert concept' selling raw, edible cookie dough. In March last year, the business rebranded from a casual cafe to a small restaurant offering a six-course tasting menu, an in-house menu and an a la carte menu. They evolved to offer "affordable British" dining to guests but have now taken the decision to close the venue due to rising costs and 'declining footfall'. Rawkies will be going back to its roots, focusing on online sales and trading at markets after the Rock restaurant's closure, which is expected to be the end of September. In the meantime, they will be honouring all gift vouchers and will be open as usual. Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to the Bury Times morning newsletter as well as our breaking news alerts. A statement shared on social media, signed off by owners Adam Greenwood and Sophie Bussey, reads: 'We're closing the restaurant later this year - but we're not disappearing. 'It's been a tough decision, but we're incredibly proud of what we built, and so grateful to everyone who supported us. We're open until the end of September - with our tasting menu, à la carte and full service still running until then. 'After September, we're going back to where it all began… Rawkies cookie dough.' They added that 'the high street is changing faster than the systems supporting it', saying that 'the country needs to wake up and adapt before it's too late'. READ NEXT: Oasis fan starts petition for store to make name change permanent READ NEXT: Food festival delights despite downpour The duo continued: 'The support from Bury has been overwhelming. You don't know how much that's meant. "Every kind word. Every visit. Every kind review. That's what's kept us going. 'Some of our local competition – hats off to them. They're smashing it and we just couldn't compete. 'We've got nothing but respect for the independents out there still pushing forward. It's extremely tough at the minute.' The news was met with support from followers and customers. One said: 'So sorry to hear this. Your food and cocktails are amazing and we will be in again before you close. It's so hard for small businesses these days.' Another commented: 'Sorry to see this, we've always enjoyed your taster menus.'
BBC News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Mum 'amazed' by response to drive-by request for son's birthday
The mother of a "machine-mad" boy whose fifth birthday party plans in September have had to be cancelled because his little sister will be recovering from treatment for a rare blood disorder said she was overwhelmed by everyone's kindness and Sherratt's mum Lauren posted an appeal on social media for "basically anything fast and loud with wheels" to do a drive-by outside their home in Bury, Greater Manchester. She said she "couldn't get over" how many offers she had received from people with motorbikes, Mustang cars and 4x4 trucks from as far away as Scotland. She told BBC Radio Manchester: "The response has been absolutely incredible, we've had hundreds of messages!" Lauren added: "It's a really difficult time for us as a family... it's just really heart-warming that complete strangers would do this for us."I'm just amazed."She said Ozzy's 16-month-old sister Isla was diagnosed in May with "very severe" aplastic anaemia, a disorder which prevents her bone marrow from producing enough blood means the family has spent the last few months going in and out of Manchester Children's Hospital so she can get regular transfusions of blood and will have a bone marrow infusion in August, after which the family will have to spend a period of time isolating from other people while her immunity is compromised. Lauren said she wanted to make sure Ozzy did not miss out."He's been through such a tricky time with his little sister who he loves to the end of the earth," she explained. She said Ozzy had always been obsessed with machines and vehicles, and used to watch the film Cars every day. Of her little boy, she said: "He's fast, he's loud, he's himself!"He's an amazing kid and he really deserve all this." Lauren said her family had also received offers from local businesses to help make her son's big day an incredibly special one."A local baker has said she will make cakes for Ozzy. People have said they'll make t-shirts for him," she said. "It just shows us there are a lot of kind people in the world, especially in Bury, but also around the country." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Bury company pays tribute to former managing director
A Bury engineering business has paid tribute to one of its former leaders following his death. Exentec Hargreaves, based in Lord Street, Bury, has expressed condolences following the death of its former managing director Brian Ward, 84, following his death on Monday, July 7. Mr Ward retired from Exentec almost 20 years ago after 48 years with the company. Working as managing director for 10 years, he completed his career as chairman of the division that also included several other senior group companies. Mr Ward first joined in 1956 after leaving Bury Technical School and began training as an apprentice sheet metalworker at Exentec Hargreaves' own in-house training school and at Bury Technical College. Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to the Bury Times morning newsletter as well as our breaking news alerts. While still an apprentice, he began working as a fitter on-site at paper mills throughout the UK and abroad before moving to London in 1959 to work on high profile projects such as the Esso HQ, the Hilton Hotel and others. Mr Ward spent 24 years leading installation teams including on many high-profile projects including the facilities used to test the prototype Concorde aircraft at Farnborough. The role involved a very specialised air handling system, using revolutionary lightweight stainless-steel ductwork. This system was able to put Concorde through its paces by subjecting the airframe to air pressurisation and temperature changes equivalent to 40 years' flying time. He was appointed contracts administration director in 1978, then works director in 1980 and finally managing director in 1993. READ NEXT: High school praised for showing 'highest level of care' to students READ NEXT: Joy for accountancy firm worker after Made In Bury Weekly £2,000 Draw As well as leading Exentec, Mr Ward was also appointed a director of Senior Construction Services the following year. This was a division of Senior Engineering Plc, which included various ventilation and construction businesses. He was a 'passionate advocate of training' and continued to support local training groups in his retirement, including as a governor of Bury College. He was also a director of the North Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Bolton and Bury Chamber and independent engineering training provider, Alliance Learning. A spokesperson for Exentec Hargreaves said: 'Respected by colleagues and friends alike, Brian's loss is deeply felt by those who knew and worked with him. 'At this sad time, our heartfelt thoughts are with Brian's family. May he rest in peace.'
