THE Bury FC Supporters' Society (Forever Bury) has just purchased another batch of 8,000 shares in the club, to add to its previous holding.

This new investment of £8,000 comes largely as a result of successful fund-raising efforts, organised by the society in conjunction with the club.

These include the sponsored walk to Rochdale which brought in £3,601, the balloon race which raised £1,406, and the various car boot sales held at Gigg Lane which have shown a profit to date of £1,391.

These figures are the net returns after payment of expenses. It just goes to show what can be achieved by a relatively small band of volunteers and helpers -- and what could be achieved if numbers were greater.

The next car boot sale is at Gigg Lane this Sunday morning. There is still time to book a pitch by ringing Margaret on 0161 797 8048.

More cheerful news on Tuesday of this week, memberships were due for renewal.

All societies, clubs, associations and organisations relying on annual subscriptions find renewal times somewhat fraught.

There is a natural inertia when people put off paying their subs "until a more convenient time", others drop out altogether.

However, the board is happy to report that more than half of Forever Bury members renewed their subscriptions before the due date of July 1. Hopefully, the rest will follow close behind by returning the form in the addressed envelope which was supplied earlier in the year. The drive for new members will then start.

Even more cheerful news -- the club shop in Gigg Lane, which had it trials and tribulations last season, is now re-opened under new management.

Frank Casper (former Burnley FC forward and Bury coaching staff) has taken over the enterprise, and stock is building up in preparation for the coming season.

Close season opening times are Tuesday 10am-4pm, Wednesday to Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday 10am-1pm.

Yet more good news: supporters who took away "Time for Change at Gigg" boxes are filling them up and some are asking: "What do we do now?"

In a week or two, the Forever Bury cabin will be in a fit state to receive them.

Until then, the Development Officer will take them, if pressed. Board members reckon that more than £500 in copper coins has already found its way into the society's hands where it is waiting to be counted and bagged.

Yet another change of plan: Due to the Bury FC AGM being postponed until Thursday, July 24, the open meeting for members is being re-arranged, provisionally, for Thursday, July 31, when matter arising from the AGM can be raised. Watch out for confirmation of this date.