Bury Metro just has so much more going for it (From Prestwich and Whitefield Guide)

Bury Metro just has so much more going for it

8:56am Thursday 25th June 2009

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EARLY in 2008 my cousin, Cllr Peter Ashworth, kindly invited me to be his Mayoress, beginning in the May.

Despite living in Hertfordshire and not being entirely sure what the role would entail, I agreed. And what a marvellous experience I would have missed had I not done so.

I do have to confess to not truly appreciating Bury prior to that. Previous visits to my cousin had mainly been spent in Bury town itself, but I discovered very quickly how diverse and interesting Bury Metro is. Stretching from urban Prestwich to rural Ramsbottom, I soon appreciated there is something for everyone and all within reasonably easy reach. So much is going on and more is to come when building work is completed in Bury town itself.

I had the opportunity of visiting other Greater Manchester boroughs, but Bury Metro’s self-belief and vibrancy stood out. You really do have so much more. If I may now consider myself as an incomer, rather than an outsider, I feel qualified to say that.

But my greatest pleasure came from the people I was able to meet. I would say “privileged” to meet, but that sounds slightly patronising and isn’t correct.

Different organisations, different perspectives, but all trying to make things better. Many were volunteers, but all I met were patient enough to take the time to explain their objectives to me. I sincerely hope I came across as not asking questions for the sake of my not having anything better to do than to waste busy peoples’ time, but your enthusiasm was infectious and I was truly grateful for the time you all spent with me and your willingness to fill me in when I was unsure of exact locations and their relevance, etc. A steep learning curve, but worth every step.

I do have a more or less full time job, but the travelling to Bury was never a deterrent. On a good day, my journey door-to-door was approximately four hours, although the Metrolink did have its ups and downs last Autumn and earlier this year. I have to add that the bus service I used from Bury Interchange was sometimes quite late at night, but I never had any cause for worry about personal safety.

So a big thank you to all you big-hearted, inspiring Buryites and a very, very special thank you to Peter Ashworth for making it all possible.

Dorrie Burgess Former Deputy Mayoress Kings Langley Hertfordshire

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