JOIN the Bury Times as we travel back 50 years to the headlines on April 16, 1969, when a new registry office and cuts to schools were the talk of the town. BRAD MARSHALL takes a look back in the archives...

WHEN Bury registry office opens its door this morning it will be in new and more modern surroundings following an historic move.

After 132 years and an estimated 25,000 marriages the office has moved out of its premises in the Divisional Health building in Parsons Lane and into neighbouring Carne House.

The new accommodation boasts a pleasant principal marriage room, and a smaller room which can be used if needed.

Almost 500 weddings a year take place at Bury Registry Office ­— including 25 in just one morning in March last year.

The last couple to be married in the old office were Mr Derek Russell and Gillian Bebbington,by Superintendent Registrar Norman Mellor.

Mr Mellor has married more than 5,000 couple during his service at Bury and Southport.

He says registry office weddings are becoming more popular because of the advent of the second generation of non-churchgoers.

GOVERNORS and managers of Bury schools are to get a chance to discuss measures to deal with tens of thousands of pounds in cuts to their funding by the Education Committee.

The total sum of £90,000 has already been axed from their budget, but the committee still has to decide how the savings will be made in detail.

Whatever the outcome, it seems all sections of the town's education service will be hit by the cuts, including the School of Arts and Crafts, where students, fearing the economies would shut the school, handed in a 1,500 strong protest petition to the Education Department.

To save money on the school, which provides leisure time activities for more than 2,500 people, shorter and fewer classes are planned.

If the proposals are accepted the number of classes will be cut by 10 per cent, and the duration of lessons reduced by half an hour to two hours.

Class fees will also go up by 25 per cent, and registration fees from 3s. to 5s.

Criticism has also come for proposals to save £500 on the provision of new toilets at St Thomas's School.

Trades Council representative Mr J Glenholme claimed because urinals were not working properly at the school, boys and girls had to share the same toilet facilities ­— labelling the situation "a disgrace".