WEIGH anchor for Woodbury!

That's the cry from Melvin Magnall who has sold his house and pooled his life-savings to enable him to fulfil his dream of "Sailing Into the New Millennium".

Melvin, the architect of Bury's planned link-up with Woodbury in the USA next year, has bought a £30,000 yacht to allow him to recreate the transatlantic journey of Tottington Quaker Henry Wood.

Wood sailed from Liverpool to America in 1682 at the age of 80 to escape religious persecution. Later, he and his family founded Woodbury on the banks of the Delaware.

And next July, in what will be an emotionally charged event, thousands of people will welcome 61-year-old Melvin and his five-strong crew on the completion of their marathon 5,400-mile voyage.

Yet, just five months ago it looked as if the builder's "Sailing Into the New Millennium" hopes had well and truly been sunk.

Plans to charter a 112ft long replica sailing ship, and to crew it with 40 young people throughout the journey, were cruelly scuppered when the project failed to win vital Millennium funding.

Despite the massive setback, Melvin was fiercely determined the sailing trip should still go ahead.

Now, he's sold his home in Shuttleworth and sunk his savings into a sloop which will embark on the ambitious crossing to the USA next Easter.

Melvin, who was awarded the MBE two years ago for his work with the Ocean Youth Club, said: "This will be the trip of a lifetime - a dream come true for me.

"Obviously, I was very disappointed when we couldn't go ahead with the original sailing plans.

"But I never thought of giving up. What really inspired me was a fantastic letter I received from someone in America, telling me what a wonderful thing the sailing voyage was.

"The letter said how everyone over there was so proud and excited about the prospect of the boat trip. At the end of the day, I felt I couldn't let them down," he added.

Melvin has already recruited five crew, all with Ocean Youth Club experience, who will join their skipper during various stages of the journey. And berths are also being set aside for four young people who will board the single-masted, twin-sail, 36ft-long yacht at designated points en route to Woodbury.

All will have to undergo strict seamanship and first aid training.

Also making the journey will be two pieces of stone from Henry Wood's birthplace at Brookhouse Farm, Greenmount.

The stones will be blessed at a service at Tottington St Anne's Church on Easter Sunday, the day before Melvin sets sail from Liverpool.

The yacht will be named "The Henry Wood" in memory of the man whose fortitude and determination inspired Melvin to plan his bold Millennium venture two years ago.

It's route will be: Liverpool to Northern Spain; Northern Spain to Southern Portugal; Portugal to Madeira; Madeira to Tenerife; Tenerife to Bermuda; Bermuda to Philadelphia.

The final leg of the journey will see Melvin pilot a canoe up Woodbury Creek to be met by residents gathered in the town's stadium on July 1.

This event, which will see the Wood stones being presented to town fathers, will coincide with the launch of a one-week festival featuring hundreds of Bury representatives who will fly to America.

"There's going to be an Olympic-style opening to the festival involving a few thousand people and I'll be starting it off when I arrive," says Melvin, of Balmoral Close, Greenmount.

He is predictably excited about the benefits such celebrations will bring, both to Woodbury and Bury. "There's massive interest in America for what is happening," he says. "Everyone over there is geared up for it.

"Around six million people will be in Philadelphia when we arrive, just days before Bury's trade fair and a concert featuring Bury Grammar School, Tottington Band and others take place there.

"My boat will take pride of place in the centre of Philadelphia for the duration of our stay.

"As far as the sailing trip was concerned, I was so determined all along that this was going to happen."

He added: "The whole thing is going to sell our town to America. This will really be something special.

"The boat cost me £30,000 and by the end of the day, I'll personally be spending £40,000."

But Melvin is anxious to secure £15,000 worth of key sponsorship to allow him to carry out vital work to the yacht before it sets sail next April.

"I want to fit satellite, safety and other equipment to the sloop. The work will take place during winter. But I desperately need to raise the money to allow the work to go ahead," he stressed.

He says such sponsorship offers a gilt-edged corporate promotion opportunity for Bury businesses willing to get involved.

"I'll put their logo on the sails. Our arrival is going to get massive TV coverage and it will certainly benefit any local companies interested in doing business in America."

Melvin, looking forward to the project, said: "Nothing like this has ever happened in the USA.

"A small boat will battle its way to America. It's one heck of a story and will draw media attention.

"It's a trip I'll never forget and something I'd regret for the rest of my life if I hadn't done it. It's going to be a real adventure - you're only here once."

Pictured are the yacht's crew (from left): John Ireland, Albert Smith, Melvin Magnall, Pat and Jack Counsell and Ron Berry.

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