I went to Bolton at the weekend as my wife went to do a course in thread vein removal, we stayed in the Macdonald Kilhey Court Hotel which was in Standish and seemed to be deserted except for ourselves and one other couple which meant that socially distancing was somewhat easier than going to the supermarket in that we saw the others briefly in the bar and had the restaurant entirely to ourselves in the evening and for breakfast the following day.
Having dropped my wife at her course I set about amusing myself for the day, starting with a visit to Bolton to see the statue of the famous Bolton steeplejack Fred Dibnah and then on to the house where he used to live.
I believe it is a listed building now and quite strange in that the vast majority of the house is not visible from street level and needs to be viewed from the rear where the great man used to have his steam workshop which was housed in the back garden.
The house has had two owners since Fred died and is now for sale again, looking rather sad and neglected it is on the market for £325,000 which locals seemed to think was £50,000 overpriced hence the property not being sold.
As someone more used to prices down south, where you have trouble buying a garden shed for that sort of money, I thought it looked very good value for money.
I was surprised that the house was in such a residential area as Fred must have made some considerable noise when making parts for his steam tractors and other machinery when using his steam powered hammer and other tools.
As you can see I took a couple of photos before departing to pick up my wife and was reminded of Fred as I left as I thought of one of his catch phrases, “did ya like that,” well Fred I must say, yes I did.
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About The Diary of a Country Bumpkin
I am a retired actor, although to be honest I only retired because I wasn't getting any work due to losing my agent when I became a full time carer to my mother who had dementia. and the option of becoming an unemployed actor/waiter at my age was ludicrous, especially as my waiting skills are non-existent.
Having said I’m retired, I don’t think there really is such a thing as a retired actor for I am still available for work, I just don’t have an agent or any connections with regards to obtaining any worthwhile work.
I have over the years done student films when there is nothing else available, always low paid (if at all) the only incentive was always the promised copy of the finished film for your show reel which nine times out of ten always failed to materialise.
I spent many years looking after my aged mother and shortly after her death I was lucky enough to run into an ex-girlfriend of many years ago and our romance blossomed once again, resulting in us getting married in 2013.
My move to the countryside inspired me to write The Diary of a Country Bumpkin which tells of my continuing dilemmas in dealing with the rigors of the countryside from the unexpectedly large number of pollens, fungal moulds and hay products waiting to attack the unsuspecting townie.
I enjoy writing, see my play Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori on The Wireless Theatre Company, The Plays Wot I Wrote and The Battle of Barking Creek both available on Amazon.co.uk and am very fond of classic cars so my ideal occupation would be acting in a film I had written set in the 1930s/40s, we live in hopes.
I am delighted to say that since venturing to the countryside where space is not quite the premium it is in town, I have due to the availability of two double garages acquired more classic cars to form a small collection the pride of which are a 1947 Bentley Mk VI and a 2000 Bentley Arnage.
My various blogs and websites are continually evolving and I’m sure that by following the appropriate links you will find something which will edify or amuse.
I have written a number of different books all available on Amazon, so don't be shy should you feel the urge to purchase. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mr-Joe-Wells/e/B06XKWFQHT/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1
The Diary of a Country Bumpkin 
Were you able to go inside? The house looks very narrow, but long.
No it’s empty at the moment but I have seen it on television when he lived there, it’s quite an interesting house, to say the least. Here is a link to details from the current estate agent where you can see what the whole thing looks like. https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-76883302.html
Thanks. It’s definitely bigger than it looks from the street. Quite charming.
Yes indeed.
What a strange house. Aptly so for Fred I suppose. I don’t think I’ll bother putting in an offer but I enjoyed the wander round. Thank you.
Yes, it is a bit upside down and it was sad to see it looking quite so neglected but as I said in my post I have just bought a lottery ticket so if all goes to plan I could rescue the place after all I just need the right numbers coming up, how hard can it be?