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Bolton campaign for statue to local legend finally comes to fruition

A three-year public appeal for a lasting tribute to the late Fred Dibnah finally came to fruition for The Bolton News when a statue was unveiled in the town centre.

The ideal for the statue came after the death of the TV personality who was a well-known character in his home town of Bolton.

The newspaper approached the local Civic Trust and together with a lifelong friend of Fred’s an Appeal Committee was set up and the fund-raising began.

Money was raised at events all over the country. The appeal fund eventually reached £46,000 and Shropshire artist Jane Robbins, who is a relative of Sir Paul McCartney for whom she created a tribute to his late wife Linda, was chosen to sculpt the Fred statue.

The newspaper covered the progress from start to the finish, when the statue was unveiled on what would have been Fred’s 70th birthday. The mayor of Bolton carried out the ceremony in front of Fred’s family and friends and a crowd of several hundred fans.

Ian Savage, editor-in-chief of The Bolton News who spoke at the ceremony, said: “As a newspaper we thought the town needed to honour a character such as Fred.

“We were delighted and privileged to have played such an important to role in the Fred Dibnah Statue Appeal. It has taken a long time but we are delighted with the statue which will be an attraction for the town.”