Britain’s best known steeplejack, Fred Dibnah demolishes the chimney at the former Millers shoe factory in Cockermouth.

Bolton based Fred, who became a folk hero after a TV documentary series on his life, cast an longing eye over the 150ft structure when he was working at nearby Jennings Brewery in February. From his vantage point 80ft above the brewery, Fred could not fail to see the factory chimney that had dominated the town’s skyline for 160 years.

“You can tell whoever owns it that I’d like a crack at that” said bluntly spoken Fred, who bemoaned the fact that most of the tall chimneys have now gone. Fred’s plea did not fall on deaf ears, for his was one of several firms called upon by the building’s owners, Thomas Armstrong, to tender for the demolition job. The Flimby based construction company were granted planning consent to knock down the chimney in 1989 as part of a plan to develop the factory site for new homes.

Chairman and chief executive, Keith Denham, confirmed that Fred’s tender had been accepted. “It was by far the best”, explained Mr Denham who said Fred had been back to Cockermouth about four weeks ago for a closer look at the chimney.

The chimney was demolished by carefully removing bricks from the base and inserting wooden supports. A fire was started at the foot of the chimney and eventually burned through the supports and thus the chimney fell down in November 1992. An arsonist had attempted to light the fire overnight but failed so Fred was able to complete the task as planned. 

The water tank on the protruding tower of the building was removed and the upper roof glazed area removed and the factory as made into flats. The adjacent building had a protrusion removed and was extended (see photos) and now houses multiple businesses.

West Cumberland Times