A PERMANENT tribute to Bolton’s celebrity, Fred Dibnah, has come a step closer as his memorial fund reaches £30,000.
Since the appeal was launched by the Bolton Evening News and Bolton and District Civic Trust, donations have flooded in.
The coffers were boosted when Mortons Media Group Ltd, publishers of Keith Langston’s biographies of the star “Fred Dibnah MBE Volumes I & II” donated £10,000.
The cheque was presented by the book’s author to Bill Greenhalgh, a member of the Civic Trust and a longtime friend of Fred.
“This wonderful £10,000 brings us to over £30,000,” said Brian Tetlow, chairman of the appeal. “Now we can start work on the memorial.”
The tribute will take pride of place in the glass case alongside the Hick Hargreaves engine in Oxford Street.
Individuals and societies from around the country have raised cash for the fund.
Rallies and fairs around Britain attended by Mr Greenhalgh as well Fred’s pal Alf Molyneux and Mr Tetlow over the last two years have raised £4,625 for the fund, including profits from the sale of books, CDs, videos and DVDs.
The Fred Night shows and other events organised by Fred’s widow, Sheila Dibnah brought in another £3,506 and fan, Wendy Close, from Astley Bridge designed and sold badges to raise a further £2,700.
A sponsored walk in June by Solihull man Mark Greenstreet and his sons raised £1,714. A further £1,500 was given by Margaret Pennington and the Rose Queen committee of Dunham Massey in memory of her husband who was killed by a bull.
A club night arranged by Carl Hamer of Stoke-on-Trent raised £500.
Other people who have helped include Paul Donoghue from “Rally Scene”, Sale firm Moonlight Publications who produced DVDs featuring Fred Dibnah’s travels; and Pete Martin of Rawtenstall who recorded his musical trbutes to Fred.
Bill Richards’ club Greenfields on Wigan Road, Westhoughton was also supportive of the appeal. Many individuals have also made donations.
(source Tuesday, 19 September 2006)
