Re-posted from uk.rec.waterways:
I'm mentioning this because I know many on this newsgroup will
> have a
> soft spot for what I am writing about, even though off topic.
>
> We arranged a Fred Dibnha family get together last Saturday. It > was
> the first time the family, Fred's two sons, Roger and Jack, his > three
> daughters plus all the little Dibnah grandchildren had been
> re-united
> with Fred's two engines,the living van and his trusty old Land
> Rover.
>
> The occasion was to officially name his Aveling steam tractor ' > Fred'.
>
> In his will Fred had left both engines to his sons, but after a
> convoluted and horrible legal battle with his last wife over
> possession, the legal costs finished up so high the Aveling
> tractor,
> which was featured on his last television series had to be sold > to pay
> off the costs.
> Luckily a good friend who has more money than me, Michael
> Oliver
> managed to rescue the engine at an auction, giving full access
> and use
> to the Dibnha family. Hence the get together at a pub. Which
> believe
> me was a great occasion, especially after a few Guinness's that
> night!
>
> The next morning Jack and Roger asked me to help in driving the > old
> steam roller Betsy and living van back to where it was being
> kept
> overnight near Macclesfield. What a wonderful nostalgic
> experience.
> The old roller has been re-tubed and completely gone over since > she
> gave up on us, running completely out of steam because of
> leaking
> tubes at Fred's funeral. That trundle along the Cheshire lanes
> with
> its familiar clunks hisses and gurgles was a pleasure beyond
> description.
>
> And before anyone says this is off topic. The Dibnah's, are
> keen
> narrowboaters and will be using OXO this year.
>
> Roger
> NB OXO
>
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