The new owner of Fred Dibnah’s historic home has been ordered to carry out urgent repair work to the site’s 40ft-high chimney.
Celebrity steeplejack Fred spent eight years building the brick chimney for his main boiler house in the back yard of the Grade II listed property on Radcliffe Road, Bolton.
The yard’s collection of oil-stained machinery and 70ft-deep working mineshaft featured in many of his TV shows.
New owner Leon Powsney has opened the property up to the public as the Fred Dibnah Heritage Centre and hundreds of guided tours telling Fred’s story have been held since it launched in June.
But the chimney, which hasn’t been used since Fred’s death in 2004, has now suffered serious frost damage.
A number of cracks have appeared and there are also concerns about its foundations as it perches on top of a steep banking leading down to the River Tonge.
A council surveyor attended and ordered the chimney to be assessed by a structural engineer. The chimney is now wrapped in scaffolding as engineers continue to assess the full damage.
Mr Powsney is appealing to Fred fans to suggest a way forward. He said: “We hope to save the chimney and we want to get the public involved. Should we repair it or demolish it and rebuild it?
“Our preferred option would be to repair it because it is Fred’s chimney but we would like some suggestions.
“The chimney was started by Fred in 1991 and completed in 1999.”
He added: “It is stable and safe and the tours are continuing but we are not sure about our next move.”
Engineers have quoted him £10,000 for repair work.
Bolton council said a notice was served requiring the chimney to be checked by a structural engineer.
A spokesman added: “The engineer has inspected the chimney and confirmed that there are some concerns in respect of the structural stability of the chimney.”
(source)
Hello everyone , and anyone ! I just wanted to say that l have seen Fred’s tv programmes eight from the beginning and l know he used to wear his heart on his sleeve and he had an absolute right to say how he felt , that said ! It doesn’t give people the right to make nasty comments , l found Fred a thoroughly likeable chap who clearly loved his past , our past , it’s people like Fred who make life worth living , his love of all things in steam was infectious and l love him for it , God bless you Fred ! You was an inspiration . Thankyou
I am very pleased and proud to say that we have now completed the extensive, extremely hazardous and very expensive repair of Freds famous 50ft chimney, there is a DVD on sale only available at the Heritage Centre showing the work and dedication that went into the repair of the chimney,lots of technical detail, and lots fo laughs along the way, email us at freddibnahtours@live.com for details
hi how much is the dvd for sale at as i can not find it anywere
Well done Leon,
I am delighted to see the sheer determination and dedicated graft of everyone associated with the FRED DIBNAH HERITAGE CENTRE in preserving this special and unique structure. He would have been proud of your efforts in saving his beloved chimney, and the DVD shows the danger and extent of the work carried out to preserve it. I’m so thrilled to see the future of the HERITAGE CENTRE is blossoming under your guidance and care, and that you have a good team alongside of you. Good luck with everything you do there – and for those of you folks who have not yet been to see Fred’s Yard….get yersen down theeere an all, like – it’s champion!
I saw Fred and his Wagon and Engine tanking down past Temple Meads station in Bristol a few years ago…he was speeding along, face set deep in concentration-and it was wonderful to see. I remember Fred from the ’70′s, and he was never afraid to speak his mind, or call a spade a spade, and was a true ”wukkin man”-my son respects Fred a lot, and when James worked in Canada, building Timber Frames, I sent Fred’s autobiography over so he would be reminded of home!..I felt very sad for the chap who was hugging the engine at the auction…and wish it could have been knocked down to him….his love for the engine was obvious. Fred was a unique character, and a great loss to England’s working heritage.
Well done and good luck we will come and see you some time.