Memories of Fred still alive at Astle Park

[Baz]

Not many people have never heard of Fred Dibnah and I make no apologies for repeating he was a sort of 'hero' to me. When he passed away in 2004 it left a large vacuum in his field of entertainment and it was feared his beloved steam traction engines would disappear from the public eye. But thanks to the Dibnah family, steam-roller 'Betsy' is now back in their ownership and is regularly exhibited at Steam Traction Rallies. Also, his last 'project' (which he completed just before he died), was the full restoration of a steam tractor, which was then bought by Michael Oliver from Knutsford, who very respectfully named it simply 'Fred'. He also exhibits it and it was a real treat today to see both machines side-by-side at Astle Park Steam Traction Rally, an event that Fred never missed.

The first selection are of the two vehicles followed by other shots taken there.