Historic walking Tours,
Debates & Discussions
in the market town of Bury

Founder, Chair, Guide
Councillor Trevor Holt
Deputy Mayor
Bury Council -
Councillor Trevor Holt is the founder and chair of Bury Walks and Talks and serves as the Deputy Mayor of Bury Council. He is passionate about community service and local development, using his governance experience to promote well-being through nature-based activities. Trevor aims to create inclusive spaces for residents to engage in meaningful conversations while enjoying their surroundings. He believes that walking and talking enrich individual lives and strengthen the community, and he remains committed to fostering connections and advocating for a healthier, more connected Bury.

Founder, Vice Chair
Deborah Gregory –
BSc, CIM, PGCE -
Deborah Gregory is the founder and vice chair of Bury Walks and Talks, leveraging her diverse skills and passion for community engagement. With a BSc, CIM qualification, and PGCE, she combines her educational and marketing experience to strengthen community connections. Deborah is committed to fostering inclusive walking and talking experiences that promote well-being, dialogue, and exploration of Bury's natural surroundings, aiming to empower individuals to share their stories and build lasting relationships.

Board member
Janine Richardson -
Janine Richardson is a board member of Bury Walks and Talks, bringing expertise in social work and community organizing. She is dedicated to creating inclusive environments and believes in the importance of nature and conversation for building community. Focused on mental health and outdoor activities, Janine strives to foster meaningful experiences that connect people from diverse backgrounds, ensuring Bury Walks and Talks is essential for personal growth and community engagement.

Bury is a historic town located in Lancashire, England. The town has a population of over 79,000 people and is the administrative centre of the Borough of Bury. The town is situated on the River Irwell and has a long history dating back to the 11th century.Bury was first mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a small village. The town grew rapidly during the Industrial Revolution and became a key centre for the textile industry. Bury was also home to the world’s first ever cotton mill, which was built in 1784.Today, Bury is a thriving town with a strong economy. The town has a number of tourist attractions, including the Bolton Museum, the Bury Market, and the Peel Tower. Bury is also home to a number of schools and colleges, making it a popular choice for families.1. Bury is a town in Lancashire, in the north-west of England.
2. It is the administrative centre of the Borough of Bury, and had a population of 95,884 in 2015.
3. The earliest recorded mention of Bury is from the 1086 Domesday Book.
4. Bury was originally a market town, known for its wool trade.
5. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Bury developed into a major industrial town, with textile mills and coal mines.
6. The 20th century saw further economic decline, with the closure of many of the town's industries.
7. Since the late 20th century, Bury has seen some regeneration, with the opening of the East Lancashire Railway Heritage Centre and the Manchester Metrolink.
1. Bury is a town in Lancashire, in the north-west of England.Bury is a town in Lancashire, in the north-west of England. It is located in the Borough of Bury, which is part of the Greater Manchester Urban Area. The town has a population of around 87,000 people, making it the largest town in the borough.The town’s name is thought to derive from the Old English word ‘burh’, meaning ‘fortified place’. It is first mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, when it was known as Buri. At that time, the town was little more than a small hamlet, with a population of just over 100 people.In the centuries that followed, Bury grew slowly but steadily. By the early 13th century, it had become a market town, and by the 16th century it was an important centre of the woollen industry. The town prospered during the Industrial Revolution, with a number of factories and mills being built.The 19th century also saw the construction of some of Bury’s most iconic buildings, such as the Exchange Buildings and the Grand Lodge. The town continued to grow in the early 20th century, and its population reached a peak of over 90,000 in the 1930s.However, the town was badly affected by the Second World War, with over 1,000 homes being destroyed by German bombing. After the war, Bury’s economy declined, and the town went into decline. In the early 21st century, however, the town is undergoing a renaissance, with a number of regeneration projects taking place.2. It is the administrative centre of the Borough of Bury, and had a population of 95,884 in 2015.Bury is a town in Greater Manchester, England, on the River Irwell. It is the administrative centre of the Metropolitan Borough of Bury, and had a population of 95,884 in 2015. The borough of Bury has a population of187,474 (2011 census), making it the ninth largest conurbation in the United Kingdom.Bury is situated in the Irwell Valley 5.5 miles (8.9 km) east of Bolton, 5.9 miles (9.5 km) southwest of Ramsbottom and 7.9 miles (12.7 km) northeast of Manchester. Historically part of Lancashire, Bury emerged in the Industrial Revolution as a mill town manufacturing textile goods. The first recorded mention of Bury dates from 1130.In 1826 one of the first modern factories was built at >< to process flax and produce linen. The Borough of Bury was formed in 1847, when Bury withespoonful in 1858 of chlorine to treat cholera. Chlorine bleach is still manufactured in the town today.Bury's importance as a textile town continued until the mid-20th century. However, since then the town has undergone a process of change, with the decline of the textile and manufacturing industries and the growth of the service sector.Bury today is a thriving commercial centre with a wide range of shops, businesses and services. The town has a busy market, a historic centre with a number of museums and heritage sites, and a vibrant arts and culture scene. There are also good transport links, with Bury being served by the East Lancashire Railway and the M60 motorway.3. The earliest recorded mention of Bury is from the 1086 Domesday Book.Bury in Lancashire is recorded in the 1086 Domesday Book as "Buri". Its name possibly derives from the Old English word "burg", meaning "fortified town". The Domesday Book records that Bury was held by the Norman lord Roger de Poitou. He was one of William the Conqueror's main advisors and was responsible for the Domesday survey. Bury was a small town in the 11th century, with a population of around 200. It was located in a relatively remote part of England, on the edge of the Pennine hills.The earliest recorded mention of a church in Bury is from 1188, when the church of St Mary the Virgin is mentioned in a charter. This church was probably built on the site of an earlier Saxon church. In 1250, the church was rebuilt in the Gothic style. It became a cathedral in 1837 and is now the seat of the Bishop of Manchester.Bury was granted a charter by King Henry III in 1252, which gave the town the right to hold a weekly market and an annual fair. These fairs were important for the town's economy, as they attracted traders from all over Lancashire and beyond. The town became a Centre for the wool trade in the 14th century. Many of the town's buildings were rebuilt in the Tudor style in the 16th century.Bury was captured by the Parliamentarians during the English Civil War in 1644. The town was then held by the Royalists for a short time before being retaken by the Parliamentarians. Bury was a small market town in the 18th century, with a population of around 2,500. However, the town began to grow rapidly in the 19th century, due to the growth of the textile industry. By the end of the century, the population had reached over 50,000.Today, Bury is a large town with a population of around 80,000. It is located in the Greater Manchester Urban Area. Bury is a thriving commercial and cultural centre, with a lively town centre and a variety of shops, restaurants and bars. The town also has a number of historic buildings, including the Cathedral Church of St Mary the Virgin, the Peel Monument and the World Heritage Site of Quarry Bank Mill.4. Bury was originally a market town, known for its wool trade.The market town of Bury in Lancashire has a long history dating back to the wool trade. The town was first mentioned in a charter from 1188, and soon became a centre for the wool trade. The town prospered and grew throughout the Middle Ages, and by the 16th century was one of the largest towns in Lancashire. The wool trade continued to be important to the town until the 18th century, when it decline. The town then became a centre for the cotton industry, which was booming in Lancashire at the time. The cotton industry continued to be important to Bury until the 20th century, when it too began to decline. Today, Bury is a town with a population of around 18,000. It is still known for its market, which attracts visitors from all over Lancashire.*5. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Bury developed into a major industrial town, with textile mills and coal mines.In 1742, Bury was described as a "flourishing market town" with a weekly market and two annual fairs. By the early 19th century, it was a major centre for the cotton industry, with over 50 textile mills. The town was also home to coal mines, brick works and other industries. In 1848, the Leeds and Manchester Railway was extended to Bury, and the town became a hub for the transport of goods and people.The industrial growth of Bury continued into the 20th century. The town was Bombed by the Luftwaffe during the Second World War, but recovered quickly afterwards. In the post-war years, Bury became a major centre for the electronics and computer industries. Today, the town is home to a variety of businesses, including manufacturing, retail and service companies.6. The 20th century saw further economic decline, with the closure of many of the town's industries.The 20th century saw further economic decline, with the closure of many of the town's industries. The textile industry, which had been a major employer in the town, ceased to be viable and many mills closed down. The town's coal mines also closed, as did the railway workshops. The loss of these industries led to high levels of unemployment and social deprivation.7. Since the late 20th century, Bury has seen some regeneration, with the opening of the East Lancashire Railway Heritage Centre and the Manchester Metrolink.Since the late 20th century, Bury has seen some regeneration, with the opening of the East Lancashire Railway Heritage Centre and the Manchester Metrolink. The East Lancashire Railway Heritage Centre is a living museum which showcases the heritage of the railway industry in Lancashire. The Manchester Metrolink is a light rail system which runs through Bury, connecting it to Manchester city centre. The Metrolink has made it easier for people to commute to and from Bury, and has also been a boost to the local economy.Bury, Lancashire is a historic town in the north-west of England. It is famous for its textiles industry and its black pudding. Today, it is a thriving town with a vibrant economy and a rich cultural life. It is an attractive place to live and work, and is well worth a visit. Get in touch!**

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Are you passionate about history and looking for a way to give back to your community? Consider volunteering with Bury Walks and Talks tours! Our organization offers guided tours of the historic town of Bury, showcasing its rich heritage and fascinating stories. As a volunteer, you'll have the opportunity to lead tours, share your knowledge with visitors, and help preserve the town's history for future generations. Our website is a hub of information for visitors, and our admin team works hard behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly. Join us in celebrating Bury's past and making a difference in the community – we can't wait to welcome you aboard!

Need to get in touch with us at Bury Walks and Talks? We're here to help! Whether you're interested in joining one of our guided tours, volunteering, donating, have questions about our schedule, or just want to say hello, we'd love to hear from you. Feel free to reach out to us, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. We can't wait to chat with you and help you explore all that Bury has to offer. Happy walking and talking!