Latest news with #steeplejack
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Update on Fred Dibnah memorial stone after local company steps in
A local company has created a replacement for a damaged plaque honouring Bolton's most famous son. The memorial to beloved steeplejack Fred Dibnah sits on Churchgate in the heart of Bolton town centre. However, the tile was cracked and remains in a sorry state eight months after the damage was reported to Bolton Council. Hardscape, a Bolton company that manufactures paving tiles for urban spaces, created a new tile free-of-charge in April. Hardscape, a local company, created the replacement stone free of charge (Image: Hardscape) A spokesperson for the company said: "We became aware of the Fred Dibnah stone being broken months ago and offered to replace it. "Obviously these things take time and we had to arrange for the council to come and inspect it. "It's a recognisable part of the town with history, people recognise the stone and it's been a part of lots of people's lives. "We thought it was important that the history of that is maintained with a replacement that's sympathetic to the original. "We were obviously more than happy to do that, especially with something like this which is local to where our company is based." Cllr Adele Warren said she raised the issue of the tile's condition with the company, as her husband runs it. She said: "It was all done on their own backs, with a little bit of pressure from me. "He's a local legend, isn't he? "Everybody knows who Fred Dibnah is, and it's a prominent part of the town as well, so I thought it was the right the thing to do really." The council have estimated that the stone will be replaced in a few weeks. Fred Dibnah died in 2004, aged 66. He rose to fame in 1978 when a television show showed his traditional steeplejack and chimney demolition methods, which included explosives and base fires. His warm personality and strong Lancashire accent endeared him to viewers. A statue of him, unveiled in 2008, stands on Oxford Street, close to a working steam engine and the memorial stone was also installed showing his birth and death years and one of his sayings 'Did you like that?'. READ MORE: Netflix star's anger as memorial to Fred Dibnah remains cracked READ MORE: Halliwell Local History Society explore the area of Astley Bridge READ MORE: Winter Hill transmitting station; A behind-the-scenes tour A spokesman for Bolton Council said: 'Fred Dibnah is one of Bolton's best-loved sons, and his statue is a fitting tribute to him and our borough's proud history. 'We are determined to return his statue to its former glory, and the stone has now been remade and is being scheduled in for installation in the next few weeks. 'In the meantime, we would like to thank all those offering to repair the statue free of charge, which underlines how much he is loved by locals and visitors to Bolton.'
BBC News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Fred Dibnah memorial in Bolton to be repaired eight months on
A memorial to TV star Fred Dibnah will be fixed in the next few weeks after being damaged eight months ago, a council has stone tribute to the famous steeplejack on Churchgate in Bolton town centre was installed following his death at the age of 66 in November Council said the stone had recently been remade and was being scheduled for comes after businessman Dave Fishwick, whose life's story was made into a Netflix film called Bank of Dave, said he would fund the repair work. Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester, Mr Fishwick said: "Fred Dibnah is a legend – that word gets used a lot but it really deserves to be there next to Fred."It's a wrong and it needs putting right. "Fred's a legend - let's just remember what he did for everybody – he inspired me as a child."Dibnah, who was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2003, became an unlikely television celebrity after he appeared in a local news programme repairing Bolton's town hall clock in 1979. He went on to be the star of 20 documentaries. Bolton Council has since thanked Mr Fishwick for his offer and confirmed plans are already in place.A Bolton Council spokesperson said: "Fred Dibnah is one of Bolton's best loved sons, and his statue is a fitting tribute to him and our borough's proud history."We are determined to return his statue to its former glory, and the stone has now been remade and is being scheduled in for installation in the next few weeks."In the meantime, we would like to thank all those offering to repair the statue free of charge, which underlines how much he is loved by locals and visitors to Bolton." Read more stories from Cheshire, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC North West on X.
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Anger as memorial to beloved TV star Fred Dibnah remains unfixed EIGHT months after it was damaged
Resident of Bolton are growing impatient and ever more furious as a plaque dedicated to beloved TV star Fred Dibnah remains unfixed eight months after it was damaged. The famous steeplejack, who was known for demolishing tall chimneys in the North West, gained national fame in 1978 when a BBC documentary about his as a work was broadcast. His hands-on, traditional techniques and charisma made fascinated viewers fall in love with him. Fred passed away aged 66 on November 6, 2004, and a statue and memorial tile were installed in his home town of Bolton. However, the plaque was damaged in January this year and now has several large cracks. At the time, locals complained to Bolton Council who said they would replace the stone. 'We have been made aware of the damage and are planning to replace the stone,' a spokesperson said at the time. But the plaque today remains unfixed eight months later and locals are getting fed up. Resident of Bolton are growing impatient and ever more furious as a plaque dedicated to beloved TV star Fred Dibnah remains unfixed eight months after it was damaged In a post on X, one wrote: Dear @boltoncouncil This lad once put Bolton on the map. 'This isn't the way to remember him. Fix it please!' It is unclear how the stone came to be damaged, but some speculated it had been done on purpose. 'Looks like it's been deliberately vandalised. All the paving stones around are intact. Who would do that?' Another said: 'Outrageous that the legacy of Fred Dibnah, should be treated this way. The man enthralled generations, with his love of industrial and architectural history/heritage. Please get it fixed, I implore you.' 'Not just for Bolton, for the entire population around in the 70 's & 80's Britain, one of my heroes, nerves of steel, but yet such a warm and personable man, respect always from an old steel erector,' said a fourth. Others called it 'shameful', 'shocking', and 'disrespectful to the town's history'.
