February 7, 1968

THOUSANDS of people were late to work on Tuesday as Bury was hit by its worst snowfall of the winter.

Traffic was forced to a crawl, trains to a standstill and walking conditions were made treacherous, however there were fortunately no accidents.

Bury Corporation’s Highway Department were on duty at 3.30am, and managed to keep all the town’s major roads open, but melting snow and ice slowed the traffic flow.

For Corporation workmen the early morning call followed two consecutive nights of stand-by duty, but sleet turned to snow.

Snowploughs were also brought on to roads in Tottington and outlying areas, but there were no major hold-ups.

BURY YMCA has opened its doors to the town's senior citizens, and young and old can mix thanks to the formation of the Veteran's Club.

Twice a week members of the club meet to play cards, dominoes, snooker or billiards, and chat about the old days over a cup of tea and a biscuit.

The Veteran’s Club, which has been open since November, was formed by Mr Bill Irving, general secretary of Bury YM.

He said: “I knew one of two lonely old people and thought of the many others who must be equally lonely.

“Now there are about 30 men in our Veteran’s Club and they mix well with our younger members.

“The two generations have gone out of their way to help bridge the gap between them, with tremendous results.”

The veterans include Mr Tom Inman, of Allen Street, who first joined Bury YMCA in 1909 —and has joined again at the sprightly age of 74.

Another is 67-year-old Mr Bernard Rowland, of Kent Drive, who said the club is the best he has been to, and has since met a friend at the club he had played football with in the 1920s, but not seen since since.

He added: “It’s the finest thing out. Everyone is very sociable. We have a good time with the young lads.”

The club is becoming so popular that it was visited by the Mayor and Mayoress of Bury last Wednesday, who came to chat with members.

Mayor Fred Spurr said: “I think it is excellent that members can meet up with people of the same age group and who share the same interests.”

THE 161 year-old formal Bethnal Congregational Church it being demolished after vandals caused so much damage the building has become unsafe.

The church, in Henry Street, built in 1807 has been unused since 1965 when its members and those of Castlecroft Church merged with with the New-road Church to form Bury Congregational Church.

Hundreds of pounds worth of damage has been done to the building and furniture by vandals.

Due to a space shortage the Bury Congregational Church youth club had moved to the Bethnal building, but were forced back to their old premises after their equipment was damaged by vandals.