Fred Dibnah's Steam Roller on Blackburn Street

Image: © David Dixon Taken: 20 Aug 1980

Steeplejack, TV personality and raconteur Fred Dibnah had a life-long interest in steam power. This 1910 12-ton Aveling and Porter steamroller, which had once been operated by Flintshire County Council, had been kept in a barn near Warrington and was in a poor state when Fred purchased it. Restoration took many years as he had to create his own replacement parts using Victorian engineering techniques and equipment he built in his back garden. Once it was restored, he used it to take his family around local steam fairs. I don’t know why he was visiting Radcliffe on this day but he and his steamroller generated plenty of interest amongst the passers-by. Blackburn Street has changed significantly in the 37 years since this photograph was taken. The spare land on the left (on which Fred parked his steamroller) is now occupied by a block of shops. The Natwest Bank is now a karaoke bar (having previously been a restaurant and wine bar since it ceased to operate as a bank). The Leicester Building Society is now a fast food outlet. The two shops (Radcliffe Carpets and the Sewing Box) next to the building society are now occupied by the RSPCA charity shop. The other shops (whose names I can’t make out) are still there but have all changed hands since this photograph was taken (https://goo.gl/Y3VxWs Streetview image).

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