I'M GOING TO BURY.......

Don't worry, I'm not going to bury anybody. I'm going to take you to Bury in this post, via a slightly indirect route. Our first stop is a suburb of Oldham, Spring Hill, where two pubs were waiting for us in 1989. The Bull's Head was a Boddington's house, while the Gardener's Arms sold beer from Robinson's of Stockport.

Our next stop is the Marston Tavern in Royton, since closed.

Chadderton is soon reached, where Citibus had a depot.

We're in Lees' Brewery territory and two tied house are situated here, the Horton Arms and the Hunt Lane Tavern.

Onwards to Middleton Junction, where Lees' Brewery is situated.

The beers can be drunk just around the corner at the Gardeners Arms. Here's a link to its WhatPub page.  

Trains no longer serve the town of Middleton, so a bus is required. Most services are run by Firstbus.

Independents have included Bluebird and JP Travel.

Being close to Lees' Brewery, it is hardly surprising that there are several of their tied houses in Middleton. First we have the Crown Inn.

l

With claims to be the oldest pub in England, the Olde Boar's Head is worth seeking out. More info on its website.

Now we head north and hit (not literally!) the former L&YR main line from Manchester to Rochdale and beyond at Castleton station.

While we're in Castleton, we might as well have some more Lees at the Blue Pits Inn.

Buses of Greater Manchester Transport and Rossendale are seen to pass through Casteton. (Photos by Richard Huggins).

The Midland at Castleton was once a good free house. Its future looks uncertain at the time of writing.

On to Heywood, where, around 1900, steam trams could be found in the Market Place.

The East Lancs Railway, a heritage line, runs passenger services to Bury and on to Rawtenstall. Preserved 40135 is seen in Heywood station.

.The East Lancs Railway can now take us to Bury (Bolton Street) station, but can't take us back to around 1955, when Ben Brooksbank visited.

By 1976, more modern units were in use.

Electric trains were later diverted to a new station and Bury (Bolton Street) came into the hands of the ELR. 40135 is seen again.

The ELR has done some marvelous work with the signalling at Bury (Bolton Street).

Without leaving the station, we can now retire to the Trackside Bar, where various decent beers await us.

In the next post we'll delve deeper into the secrets of Bury. See the route so far here.