Fred Dibnah Heritage Centre
THE FRED DIBNAH HERITAGE CENTRE
WELCOME
PUBLIC FUNDING
THE HOUSE
FRED DIBNAH
CONTACT US
FOR SALE 1
FOR SALE 2
SPONSOR A STONE
AWARDS NEWS
Hello! Please allow me to introduce my wife and myself as the owners of the Famous Fred Dibnah MBE's house and worksite. My name is Leon and my wife’s name is Jan. ( If you want to know a little more about us please read more below the sponsors). Suffice it to say that having bought Fred’s place (yes, we still think of it as Fred’s place) our aim has always been to do what Fred wanted to do but sadly didn’t have time to do before he was called to that great steam engine room in the sky. Right from the start it was our intention to turn this amazing place into a Heritage Centre in memory and celebration of Fred. This was Fred’s dream and we are immensely proud that we have managed to accomplish exactly that.
We have been genuinely touched by the many wellwishers and the fantastic help we have had from our loyal volunteers, without whom we would not have managed this mammoth feat. Our first major task was to obtain planning consent to turn Fred’s place into an official Heritage Centre, and after a long battle we finally succeeded in January 2010 ( Fred actually applied for planning consent in 1999 but was turned down ) so we are very proud to have turned Fred’s dream into reality. Our next aim was to return this famous and revered property to its original state, just as Fred would have kept it. We have spent many hours, days, weeks, fettling the house to get it back to its former glory after standing empty for around 4 years. Blood sweat and many tears later we like to think we have done a good job, everybody that visits tells us so anyway. We have gone all out to bring the house back to its original habitable condition, well we do live here. It’s a very quirky house, but very charming and we love it.
FRED'S BIRTHDAY BASH - DETAILS BELOW!
An example of the high esteem that Fred was held in was when the Rayburn cooker that Fred fitted for the central heating system packed up when we first got the keys and were spending full days here cleaning, tidying and painting etc. This was in November 2008, if you remember not the warmest of winters, we were freezing with not a brass monkey in sight. The Rayburn service people said “sorry but we cannot get out to you for 6 weeks” they were so busy, thankfully we managed to get the pilot light working after a few days of us freezing our n_ts off, when the Rayburn man finally arrived to service the cooker, he said “WOW IF I HAD KNOWN IT WAS FRED'S PLACE I WOULD HAVE BEEN HERE THE NEXT DAY AFTER WE HAD REPORTED IT NOT WORKING”, he was so pleased to be working at Fred’s place . AARRGGHH! Next job was the worksite ie. The workshop, Workwhed, Boiler house, all the machinery, and the grounds, which were in a bit of a state to put it mildly, as you can imagine after 4 years of neglect. In order to carry out this mammoth task we needed to raise money ( and still do, by the way ) and as well as emptying our own pockets ( a regular occurance ) that’s where you the true Fred fans came in, by helping with our sponsor a brick campaign, and one or two other fund raising excercises. To help kick start the massive regeneration project we had a fantastic pre planning open evening which was a terrific success, the evening was electric and everybody had an amazing time. It was such a success that it did start off a problem with the planning application, but enough about that for now, I will tell you all about it when you come on your tour of this amazing place. So if you want to be enthralled by Fred’s legacy come and see for yourself, and hear all about our amazing journey and how we fought hammer and tooth to get the show on the road. Come for a tour of the grounds and workshops and see them as Fred left them, Just as if he has nipped out for a pint. Quite often Alf Molynuex will be here to tell you stories about working with Fred. Plus you will have the opportunity to purchase some fantastic exclusive memorabilia, accommodation can be arranged locally and parking is never a problem. Please remember our intention is purely focussed on getting this place fettled so it shines like a new pin, something that Fred would have been proud to see. We just could not let this famous piece of history vanish forever, somebody had to save it for future generations because this place is steeped in history and is the lifetimes work of a famous and much loved son of Bolton, come and hear for yourself how we saved it from being demolished and developed into apartments.
SPONSERED BY
THE UK'S WROUGHT IRON COMPONENTS SPECIALISTS
HAPTON VALLEY BOATS
ATP HEATING SPECIALISTS
BRESSINGHAM STEAM
HEELEY STAIRPARTS LTD
ALISTOYSHED LTD
See Fred’s tools just as he left them, in the steam shed, and workshed. See his blacksmith corner and his forge, where he made many of his own tools and his fabulous weathervanes, to special order. (we can take orders for those again now!) See the top of Swan Mill chimney laid out in the garden, now converted into a gorgeous pond comlete with water feature just as Fred always wanted it. See the knackered old garden table Fred used to sit at in the garden. See the mug Fred used, sit in his chair in the kitchen. See his harness, his boots and wellies, his hard hats ( which he hated wearing!). See his collection of ladders, all his ropes, his machines, all belt driven by steam. See his boiler house (just about to be refurbished!) See his famous 50ft chimney which we have just carried out a major repair on to save it from collapsing. See Fred’s famous mineshaft, it is lit up so you can see the marvellous workmanship. Visit us today!!
Fred's Birthday Bash! This will be on 28th april which was Fred's birthday, (and is also Leon's Birthday too!) This falls nicely on the saturday this year so it should be a nice busy day, we will be having an open day and people will be able to have a good wander round! There will be volunteers here to tell them about Fred's place and answer any questions visitors may have, there will be talks going on in the main workshop Alf ( Elf ) Molyneux Fred's trusty pal as seen on TV will be here to tell stories of working with Fred. There will be entertainment and hopefully a Brass band. Also there will be the chance to browse our memorabilia store and to take something home to treasure, visitors will get to see all Fred's wonderful collection of Victorian machinery and of course see at first hand the beautiful brass plaque's along the cobblestone path sponsored by Fred's fans.
FRED'S BIRTHDAY BASH!!
The cost is £15 per head ( half price for children under 10 ) this will include food ( possibly baked spuds with choice of fillings and or lashings of butter and black eyed peas ) soft drinks and tea and coffee will be available. We will be open from 10am until kicking out time at 5pm. Parking will be in the Bridge church car park around the corner. We are taking bookings now so please book early to avoid dissapointment by calling either 01204 531303 or 0697 681 2596 and we can take payment by card or write to us enclosing a cheque made out to the Fred Dibnah Heritage Centre ( please enclose SAE ) email us at freddibnahtours@live.com or you can also book via the website and pay by paypal if you wish.
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