Rally remembers steeplejack Fred

There are plans for a lasting memorial to the steeplejack

The life of legendary steeplejack Fred Dibnah is being celebrated by a two-day charity steam rally in Lancashire.

Steam Rally Weekend, which begins on Saturday at Leisure Lakes, Mere Brow near Preston, has been organised by Rotarian Alan Atkinson.

Mr Atkinson transported Mr Dibnah, who was from Greater Manchester, and his steam engine around the country for the steeplejack's last BBC TV series.

Mr Dibnah died from cancer aged 66 at Bolton Hospice last November.

The 12-part series, "Fred Dibnah's Made In Britain", was completed just weeks before his death.

Raising money

This year is the Centenary of Rotary International and haulage boss Mr Atkinson thought a steam rally would be the ideal way to both mark the milestone and celebrate the life of Mr Dibnah, who was from Bolton.

The rally will feature a wide range of attractions of interest to steam enthusiasts and the general public, while also raising money for a number of local charities.

There will be hundreds of exhibits, including more than 60 classic commercial vehicles and featuring the entire collection of trucks belonging to William Hunter, never before seen by the general public.

Mr Atkinson, who runs a haulage business in Preston, owns two traction engines and started transporting Mr Dibnah's machines on a low loader several years ago.

He said: "Fred would have loved to have driven on the roads but that was impractical considering the distances involved and his failing health."

Mr Atkinson is supporting an appeal set up to raise funds for a lasting memorial to the steeplejack.