FredDibnah.co.uk

PLANS have been put forward to transform the former home of Fred Dibnah into Bolton’s newest museum.

Leon Powsney and his wife, Jan, put a dream move to Spain on hold earlier this year and bought Fred’s house in Radcliffe Road, The Haulgh, with the hope of preserving the former steeplejack’s legacy.

The plans, which include converting the 155-year-old property into a heritage centre, an extension to Fred’s workshop and toilet facilities, have received some high-profile support.

As part of a planning application to Bolton Council, Mr Powsney has included a letter from Manchester’s Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) backing the scheme.

Mr Powsney is also applying for permission to keep the pithead structure Fred was working on before he lost his battle with cancer in 2004.

In the letter, Steve Davies, director of the Manchester museum, describes the heritage centre as “fundamentally important” and a “fitting tribute” to Fred.

There are also letters of support from book chain WH Smith, former construction boss Sir William McAlpine and rail enthusiasts from across the country.

Mr Powsney’s plans also have the backing of Fred’s widow, Sheila, who conducted a guided tour of the house earlier this year to raise money for the project.

It will cost about £200,000 to fully restore the house and Fred’s yard, which still features a mineshaft with pithead gear, sheds, steam-driven engines and tools.

There is even the battered garden furniture which Fred used to sit on while enjoying a cup of tea.

Mr Powsney, a mortgage broker, said: “I didn’t quite realise how popular Fred was but I am absolutely buzzing about the challenge ahead now.

“It is a big project but he had a lot of enthusiasm and so do I.

“Sheila has been very supportive towards what we want to do and I would like to think that Fred would have been pleased about this, too.”

(source)