Looking back at major stories we have covered in last decade as we mark anniversary

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

One of the many strengths of newspapers like the Bury Times is their ability to cover historic, national events through a local lens.

It allows us to share, highlight and examine how matters of great national import relate to, affect and impact our loyal readers.

Today we celebrate our 170th birthday and to mark the milestone we are looking back at some of our most notable stories in the last 10 years.

Of course, the pandemic was a major world event in the last decade, and Covid claimed the lives of 805 people across the borough.

Mother-of-two, Carol Jamabo, 56, had the sad distinction of being the first care worker to be identified publicly after succumbing with the killer virus.

She worked as a carer in the community for Cherish Elderly Care in Bury but fell ill and succumbed to the virus, dying in Salford Royal Hospital in March 2020.

Care worker Carol Jamabo (centre), with her sons Tonye Selema (left) and Abiye Selema (Image: Supplied) When Queen Elizabeth died in September 2022, the Bury Times reported on how the life of this extraordinary monarch was remembered in the town.

Borough flags were flown at half-mast, books of condolence opened for the public to pay their respects, and a civic service of remembrance was held.

One of our readers from a military background told us about a fleeting, but special bond he formed with her, and glimpsed the real person behind the crown.

"It was during the Falklands," he explained.

"I asked her about how her son was faring over there, and she said she was very worried."

Bury Parish Church flew the Union Jack at half mast (Image: Newsquest) Queen Elizabeth visited Bury several times, most notably in 1954 when she officially opened the town hall. She returned 38 years later where a reception was held in the town hall, following her arrival on the newly opened Metrolink.

The history of the Bury Times has always been inextricably linked with Bury FC, and so when the club was expelled from the Football League in 2019 and then placed into administration the following year, we were there to follow the ups and downs of this devastating part of the Shakers' history.

In February 2022, fans' group Est.1885 purchased Gigg Lane from the administrator and secured the rights to the Bury FC name, history, and memorabilia.

It was a vital first step in the campaign to bring professional football back to the town.

Math and Tom Pickup, of Forever Bury, with Daniel Bowbank (Image: Supplied) Meanwhile, Bury AFC, owned by the Shakers Community Society, had been playing in non-league football. Talks began about unifying the two fan-led groups: the Bury Football Club Supporters' Society, which now owned Gigg Lane, and the Shakers Community Society.

In October 2022, a vote was held on a merger, but it fell short of the required two-thirds majority.

After further consultation and campaigning, a second vote took place. On May 5, 2023, the merger was officially approved.

With FA approval on June 5, 2023, Bury AFC adopted the Bury FC name and returned to Gigg Lane for the 2023/24 season.

Another major story in the last decade affecting the borough was when Bury South MP Christian Wakeford defected from the Conservatives to Labour in January 2022, a story which the Bury Times broke.

Bury South MP Christian Wakeford (Image: Supplied)

Included in his long letter of resignation to David Nuttall, chairman of Bury South Conservatives, Mr Wakeford said: "From today I will be sitting as the Labour MP for Bury South because I have reached the conclusion that the best interests of my constituents are served by the programme put forward by Keir Starmer and his party.

"I care passionately about the people of Bury South and I have concluded that the policies of the Conservative government led by Boris Johnson are doing nothing to help the people of the constituency and indeed are only making the struggles they face on a daily basis worse."

Going forwards, the Bury Times will continue to report with accuracy, integrity, and interest on events, both large and small, that add to the texture of our borough and its people.