I AM writing to say how absolutely disgusted I am at Bolton Council's shortsighted attitude towards Fred Dibnah's recent planning application.
When people nationwide hear the placename Bolton mentioned, they immediately think of only two things: Bolton Wanderers and Fred Dibnah.
Fred loves Bolton, Boltonians and the town's rich industrial heritage; seizing the chance to include the town in his latest highly-acclaimed TV series.
Those of us who know Fred well, know of a very sad downside to his otherwise optimistic outlook on life. This is the effect over the years of an absolutely fanatical campaign waged by a nearby resident to oppose everything Fred does in his workshop. The man involved does not even originate from the town, never mind this country.
When Fred operates his steam engine, this resident starts to jump up and down in his garden, clanging a metal plate and screaming "neighbours from hell", when really he is the person in question!
It is this one man's -- and his cronies' -- opposition to Fred's plans to make his facilities more welcoming and safe to visitors that has dealt him the sad blow.
Ninety nine per cent of all the other local residents think the world of Fred and are proud he lives near to them.
It really is a very sad day when publicity-seeking councillors come out with decisions and statements such as we have seen.
Let's all hope Fred stays living in Bolton, not Bournemouth. But I would not blame him if he moved away from the madman whose life's obsession is to make his life a misery.
Why on earth are you allowing Fred to be treated in this way, Bolton councillors?
William Davies
Beefold Lane,
Atherton
IAM writing to say how absolutely disgusted I am at Bolton Council's shortsighted attitude towards Fred Dibnah's recent planning application.
When people nationwide hear the placename Bolton mentioned, they immediately think of only two things: Bolton Wanderers and Fred Dibnah.
Fred loves Bolton, Boltonians and the town's rich industrial heritage, seizing the chance to include the town in his latest highly acclaimed TV series.
Those of us who know Fred well, know of a very sad downside to his otherwise optimistic outlook on life. This is the effect over the years of an absolutely fanatical campaign waged by a nearby resident to oppose everything Fred does in his workshop. The man involved does not even originate from the town, never mind this country.
When Fred operates his steam engine, this resident starts to jump up and down in his garden clanging a metal plate and screaming "neighbours from hell", when really he is the person in question!
It is this one man's -- and his cronies' -- opposition to Fred's plans to make his facilities more welcoming and safe to visitors that has dealt him the sad blow.
Ninety nine per cent of all the other local residents think the world of Fred and are proud he lives near to them.
It really is a very sad day when publicity-seeking councillors come out with decisions and staements such as we have seen.
Let's all hope Fred stays living in Bolton, not Bournemouth, but I would not blame him if he moved away from the madman whose life's obsession is to make his life a misery.
Why on earth are you allowing Fred to be treated in this way, Bolton councillors?
William Davies
Beefold Lane,
Atherton
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