A chimney famously felled by the late Fred Dibnah, one of Bolton's most beloved sons, is now up for sale. The structure, which was the last chimney the renowned steeplejack ever dropped, is located in Royton and has become a piece of local history.
Fred Dibnah, a world-famous engineer, steeplejack, and steam enthusiast, spent 40 years expertly felling mill and factory chimneys across Bolton, Rochdale, Oldham, and Stockport. His method involved cutting a hole in the base, propping it with wood, lighting a fire, and watching the structure fall without using dynamite to avoid lateral damage.
In his career, Dibnah dropped around 90 chimneys, including the Era Mill, Arkwright Mill, and Whitfield Mill. His final drop was the Park No 2 Mill chimney in Royton on 9 May 2004, where over 2,000 people gathered to watch the 195ft structure fall. The event drew TV crews and reporters, with ice cream and hot dog vans doing a roaring trade among the crowd.
Dibnah retired later that year due to illness and passed away in 2004. Now, the chimney from his last drop is being sold, offering a unique piece of Bolton's industrial heritage. A book detailing some of his most memorable drops, written by Alan McEwen, has also been published and is available at local bookshops and Touchstones.
