121 Radcliffe Road (Fred's House)

Image: © David Dixon Taken: 5 Feb 2018

This former park keeper's lodge, now a house, was built in 1854 to serve Bolton's first public park, established by the Earl of Bradford on his estate. This grade II listed building (Historic England List entry Number: 1388245 https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1388245 ) is of an interesting design, the street façade is one storey whilst the rear is two storey as the land falls away sharply towards the River Tonge. It has an arched doorway, with ornamental strap hinges on the front door, and mullion windows to each side. There is painted coat of arms of the Bradford family in high relief beneath apex of right-hand gable, and a trefoiled panel carrying the date (1854) balancing it on the other gable. Its main claim to fame, however, is indicated by the blue plaque on the wall of the brick extension which informs us that this house was owned and occupied by famous steeplejack, TV personality and raconteur Fred Dibnah “Revered Son of Bolton” (Image]) who bought the house in the 1960s and lived in it until his death in 2004. The house and its approximately a third of an acre of land was opened to the public as the “Fred Dibnah Heritage Centre” in 2010. It is expected to close in March 2018.

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