NOSTALGIA: Bury 20 proves a tough test
This picture of the Bury 20 road race was taken by a Bury Free Press photographer in February 1987.
Leading the field of 800 competitors is Kevin Meardon of Thetford (number 433), pictured left, and Robert Payne of RAF Wattisham (number 418) who finished fourth.
Also pictured is the eventual winner, Graham Williams (number 287) of Granta Harriers, who completed the race in 1.49.21, and third placed Eamonn Dorling (number 226) of Peterborough AC who finished in 1.51.32, exactly two minutes slower than his 1986 10th position.
In total there were 781 finishers with the last runner home returning a time of 3.48.18.
HEADLINES FROM THE PAST
10 YEARS AGO
Shock plans were submitted for a huge redevelopment scheme for the Roys of Wroxham site in Risbygate Street, Bury St Edmunds.
It would see the supermarket demolished and replaced with a new store, 84 homes and a multi-storey car park.
The plans were submitted to St Edmundsbury Borough Council by Savills, on behalf of Brook Properties Partnerships Ltd.
St Edmundsbury mayor, Cllr Frank Warby said: “I am a bit astonished because it is the first I have heard of it.”
Brian Godfrey, Roys managing director, said: “We are the tenants of the property. I knew the owners wanted to redevelop.”
25 YEARS AGO
A £500,000 scheme to build a primary school in Weeting was still at least a year away from receiving approval from the county council.
Parents, staff and governors had hoped backing to build the new school would be given in this financial year and were ‘bitterly’ disappointed when approval was delayed.
Governors said they felt they were being penalised for their refusal four years earlier of a £220,000 improvement scheme for the existing buildings, something the county council denied.
The wood-built school was built in the early 1960s as a ‘temporary’ measure and parents had been campaigning to have the inadequate school replaced.
100 YEARS AGO
The following letter has been received from a comrade of Private Price – Salonica, May 15, 1916.
“Dear Miss Roote – Just a few lines in answer to your letter inquiring about the death of Prvt Price, which I am sorry to say is only too true. He was killed by a bomb, quite by accident, while the company bombers were at practice as they used to practice throwing them every day, and he was one of the bombers. He was throwing one of the bombs when his hand hit the back of the trench and he dropped the bomb, and it exploded before he could get clear away. He was hit on one side and neck, but died instantly. He could not have suffered any pain. He had a very nice funeral attended by all his company and officers...”
