Now that Fred Dibnah has passed away, a comparison could be made with that other great Boltonian - Samuel Crompton, who invented the spinning mule at Hall i'th' Wood, and hence changed the face of the cotton industry.
Both individuals had humble, working class origins, and both were highly talented and capable men.
One helped to create the Industrial Revolution, the other made sure that we didn't forget it.
These two men stand like giants at either end of the two centuries of Bolton's great industrial past, and both put Bolton firmly in the national consciousness.
But only one of these men has been publicly commemorated.
The people of Bolton now need to find a way to preserve Fred Dibnah's memory for future generations, just as they did for Crompton.
Mark Fletcher (Former Boltonian)
Kenwood Road
Stretford
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