REMEMBER in the weeks leading up to Christmas, Robbie the Bobby, the Bury FC mascot, was making public appearances at venues in and around town.

He and his friends were handing out sheets for a colouring competition for children.

Robbie had a very good Christmas and New Year (which perhaps accounts for his falling over while cavorting on the pitch at the Hull City game).

Nevertheless, he found the time to help with the judging of the children's colouring competition.

PRIZES

UP TO AGE TEN: 1, Thomas Wilson (Ramsbottom) aged 9; 2, Daniel Sharif (Holcombe) aged 6; 3, Kennedy Ross (Harwood) aged 7.

UP TO AGE FIVE: 1, Jonathan Birkett (Bury) aged 4; 2, Callum Sinclair (Ramsbottom) aged 5; 3, Cherie Wong (Prestwich) aged 3.

The winners and their parents have already been notified and have been invited to as guests of the club for the match against Boston United on Saturday, January 18. They will be taken down onto the pitch to receive their prizes from Clark Craft Products of Ramsbottom, presented by Robbie.

Robbie the Bobby now has his own space on the Forever Bury website and soon will be issuing his own newsletter -- the RTB:APB, which stands for Robbie the Bobby: All Points Bulletin.

All Forever Burymembers will receive a copy, either by post or, as befits a thoroughly modern Robbie, by e-mail.

Last Sunday, a moderate sized band of volunteers -- who made up in quality what they lacked in quantity -- attended at Gigg Lane for the task of the naming of the seats.

In glorious sunshine, combined with near freezing cold, the operation was completed with quiet efficiency.

It was an interesting reminder of how football supporters from far and wide responded to the appeal to help the Shakers in their time of need.

Individual supporters from clubs as near as Bolton and Rochdale, and as far away as Plymouth and Exeter, figured in the lists. Exiles from Canada, USA and Australia are there, and a number dedicated to the memory of former supporters who have passed away.

The job was 90 per cent completed by the 30 or so volunteers who worked their way through the stands like mountain climbers on the Matterhorn.

There is a relatively small section which remains to be covered but what could have been a daunting task, is now much more manageable thanks to the people who gave a couple of hours of their time.

Next step is putting the information on a computer spreadsheet for publication on the Forever Bury website, available for consultation by anyone who is interested.

STOP PRESS: There will be an open meeting of the supporters' trust at Bury FC Social Club, Gigg Lane on Thursday, January 16 starting at 7.30pm.

The meeting will provide an opportunity for both members and non-members to ask questions about Forever Bury and its work in helping Bury Football Club.

Trust officials and Bury FC directors will be in attendance.

Entrance is free for all.