Shailesh Vara MP officially opened a new outdoor gym in Bury over the weekend. Also attending the event were District Councillor Peter Bucknell and Chairman of the Parish Council, Peter Hazell.

The new equipment has been installed by Bury Parish Council on the village playing field and it has been funded from various sources including the Ramsey Wind Farm, Section 106 developers' contributions and the Parish Council. The gym will encourage the community to keep fit locally in their own time and it will remove some of the barriers to physical activity such as expensive membership fees and travel to and from a gym.

Commenting on the opening, Mr Vara said:

"I welcome this initiative by the Parish Council in encouraging people to get fit and stay in shape. It is impressive equipment and I hope local residents will make full use of it.

We are regularly told of the importance of keeping fit and it is good to see this initiative go further and actually provide the equipment to do so. I hope it will prove to be very popular."

Cllr Bucknell said:

"Regular exercise is very important to everyone, regardless of age, experience or physical ability. The range of outdoor fitness equipment in Bury has been specially designed with this in mind to cater for a wide range of abilities.

Outdoor exercise is known to be extra beneficial and provides enhanced feelings of wellbeing and increased energy levels. The equipment was mostly funded by a development contribution and wind farm support."