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Monday, 22 February 2010Historic plaque returns to Bury

An historic railway plaque has been returned to Bury Bolton Street Station after 30 years.

Officials from Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority (GMITA) met with representatives of the East Lancashire Railway (ELR), the Lancashire Fusiliers, and the Royal British Legion to unveil the plaque on Sunday 21 February at a special Steam Enthusiasts Weekend.

Councillor Keith Whitmore, Chair of GMITA, said: "This plaque is an important part of our railway heritage, and I'm proud to put it in the care of the East Lancashire Railway.

"The plaque was on display at Bolton Street station throughout the two World Wars, and would have been visible to members of the Lancashire Fusiliers when they left Bury to participate in campaigns.

"We are pleased to return the plaque to its place on the wall above the ticket barriers for future generations to see."

The plaque, which dates from around 1846, is one of three East Lancashire Railway plaques originally attached to the Bolton Street Station gateposts. Following a fire which destroyed the original Bury Bolton Street station, the plaque was mounted on the wall above the ticket barriers at the rebuilt station building in 1952.

The plaque was taken from Bolton Street when the station closed in 1980, and put on display at Bury Interchange.

But the plaque has now been returned to Bolton Street in a permanent loan from GMPTE to ELR.

Andy Coward, ELR General Manager, said: "We are delighted to have this historical crest from the original East Lancashire Railway placed into the care of the present-day ELR.

"It is great to see it back above the ticket barriers at Bolton Street Station, in a place where thousands of rail passengers would have passed beneath it over the years and we are grateful to everyone who has made it possible for it to be put into our care."

Tony Dale, of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, said: "The unveiling of the plaque is an historic occasion, and the colourful ceremony has seen the Fusiliers dressed in historic and present day battle dress.

"I'm always honoured to take part in celebrations of the Lancashire Fusiliers and the East Lancs Railway, but I am particularly pleased to be taking part in this event.

"This plaque is a part of this area's history, and I am very happy to see it returned to its rightful place on the wall at Bolton Street Station."

An engineer was fortunate enough to come across the original boltholes which supported the plaque 30 years ago when drilling holes for the display.

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