THE architect of Bury's "Sailing Into the New Millennium" project has issued a plea for major sponsors to "get on board".

And yesterday, March 11, Mr Melvin Magnall was holding a high-powered meeting in the House of Commons in a bid to unlock £200,000 worth of potential sponsorship for the sailing voyage.

He told MPs and other guests the project to link up with Woodbury in the USA could act as a high-profile commercial opportunity for companies who were willing to get involved.

The major sponsor would have its logo displayed on the main sail of the ship which will be crewed by around 14 young people from Bury.

Next summer's event will follow in the footsteps of Tottington Quaker Henry Wood who in 1682 sailed to the USA with his family to escape religious persecution.

He later founded a settlement on the banks of the River Delaware and named it Woodbury.

The £200,000 is required to fund the full cost of next year's sailing voyage.

Earlier this year, Bury's bid for Millennium Commission funding towards the project was turned down. Now Shuttleworth builder Melvin is anxious to drum up sponsorship cash to ensure the voyage goes ahead.

Yesterday he was meeting with Bury North MP David Chaytor, Bury Millennium project patron Admiral Sir Jeremy Black, former Bury North MP Alistair Burt and others. Also attending was a representative from Ivan Lewis's office in the absence of the Bury South MP himself who had a prior engagement.

Also present were Derek Boden and John Byrne, leader and deputy leader respectively of Bury Council.

To help spearhead the cash appeal, around 50 copies of a colourful, glossy "Sailing Into the New Millennium" brochure have been printed.

These will be distributed to some of the UK's largest companies in an attempt to secure vital corporate sponsorship.

Added Melvin: "The main purpose of my meeting was to approach people and to appeal to them to help open doors to potential major sponsors.

"When we arrive in Philadelphia, the eyes of millions of Americans will be on us. This is an ideal opportunity for UK companies and could act as a showcase for their products."

Already, plans are well in hand for a week-long sporting and cultural festival in Woodbury involving hundreds of Bury visitors flying over to the USA.

Any Bury company wishing to get involved in sponsorship should contact Melvin Magnall on 01706 822 285.

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