Search for Fred Dibnah’s Land Rover for Holland’s Pies exhibition (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Search for Fred Dibnah’s Land Rover for Holland’s Pies exhibition

8:40am Tuesday 11th October 2011 in Baxenden By Steven Thompson

AFTER a hard day’s work, so the story goes, steeplejack Fred Dibnah liked nothing better than a pint of Guinness and a good pie.

And such was Fred’s love of a Holland’s Pie that he even painted his old Land Rover in the pie company’s colours.

But the famous four-by-four has slipped off the radar, after being sold 20 years ago, and now pie bosses are hoping for the Land Rover’s return to celebrate their company’s 160th anniversary.

Pie historian and chef Tom Bridge said: “Fred’s love for Holland’s Pies has been well documented and I’m sure he would have been delighted to see his trusty Land Rover feature in an exhibition about the company.

“If you’re lucky enough to own this piece of North West history, or you know who does, get in touch.”

Fred sold the iconic vehicle more than 20 years ago and his family is now unaware of its whereabouts, but the vehicle’s registration number ECW 656W is still registered with the DVLA.

Fred’s wheels are not the only piece of Holland’s history to be considered hot property.

To mark its 16 decades in the pie business, Holland’s has launched a nationwide search for pie-related historical items.

They will feature in an exhibition about the company’s history at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester.

Holland’s already has an impressive collection of memorabilia but still wants to add to its haul. Since the search was launched in July, a wealth of historical item’s have already been uncovered, including handwritten letters, old photos, vintage toy vans and old uniforms.

If you have the inside track on Fred’s Land Rover, or you own a piece of Holland’s Pies memorabilia, send details to memorabiliasearch@hollandspies.co.uk or call 0113 394 4333.

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