Obit: Fred Dibnah (Nov 2004)

Subject: Obit: Fred Dibnah
From: GUEST,Jennifer
Date: 06 Nov 04 - 03:18 PM

There was an earlier thread about Fred Dibnah, steeplejack, raconteur and steam enthusiast, embarking on a "farewell tour" in a traction engine instead of a course of chemotherapy. He has now died, aged 66, surrounded by his family. Sounds like the way to go to me. he completed his last television series before his death.
(source: teletext)

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Dibnah
From: My guru always said
Date: 06 Nov 04 - 03:24 PM

Lovely guy, bumped into him at many traction engine rallies around the UK. Will raise a glass to him tonight!

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Dibnah
From: Blissfully Ignorant
Date: 06 Nov 04 - 03:25 PM

I just heard on the radio. One of the few people on tv i liked.

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Dibnah
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 06 Nov 04 - 03:28 PM

"Down the Chimneys".....Commiserations to the Dibnah family.
May not have been a comedian but brought many a house down.
Rest in Peace Fred.
Best wishes.

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Dibnah
From: fat B****rd
Date: 06 Nov 04 - 04:10 PM

Tara Fred, RIP.

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Dibnah (Nov 2004)
From: Banjo-Flower
Date: 06 Nov 04 - 07:57 PM

What a loss one of Britain's great eccentrics(he was his own man and did'nt give a bugger what anyone else thought)RIP Fred I only wish I'd met you in Person

Gerry

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Dibnah (Nov 2004)
From: Bernard
Date: 06 Nov 04 - 08:38 PM

I was fortunate enough to know Fred (he lived 200 yards from my parents' house).

He was certainly unconventional in a conventional sort of way... he held on to beliefs which are, these days, considered somewhat old fashioned.

For example, he refused to 'blow up chimneys' as the original posting on this thread suggested. Out of respect for the engineers who built the chimneys, he insisted on dropping chimneys the old fashioned way by removing some brickwork, replacing it with wooden sleepers. Once he was happy with the amount removed, he would set fire to the wooden supports... eventually the chimney would topple in a predictable, controlled way. Controlled? Well, in as much as he knew which way it would fall, but not exactly when...! Hence the old bulb horn he would sound once he knew it was on its way!!

It seems the day before he died he was working on the well he was sinking in the back garden at 'The Two Cats', as his house is locally known - a plaque of the Earl of Bradford's coat of arms is displayed on the front of the house, which was originally the gate house to the Earl of Bradford's estate. The plaque has two cats (lions, I think) on it...

He will be missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Dibnah (Nov 2004)
From: sledge
Date: 07 Nov 04 - 02:13 AM

A true one off, He will be missed by many.

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Dibnah (Nov 2004)
From: Flash Company
Date: 07 Nov 04 - 10:27 AM

Wonderful guy! Did you ever see the Copper-plate writing on any of the drawings that he did on his shows? Marvellous!

FC

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Dibnah (Nov 2004)
From: Mrs_Annie
Date: 07 Nov 04 - 10:45 AM

Very sad, he was a true character, enjoyed all his programmes. Now I have to go and tell my husband, he will be gutted.

Anne

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Dibnah (Nov 2004)
From: Hand-Pulled Boy
Date: 07 Nov 04 - 10:49 AM

How do you replace John Peel and Fred Dibnah? It's a sad time indeed. Ant and Dec are rubbish compared to them.

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Dibnah (Nov 2004)
From: Tam the Bam (Nutter)
Date: 07 Nov 04 - 10:54 AM

I am sorry to hear that Fred is dead

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Dibnah (Nov 2004)
From: HuwG
Date: 07 Nov 04 - 06:34 PM

A shame. We seem to be losing many "natural" presenters, people with a gift for, and a love of, their subject. Fred was one such. He was always a good entertainer, even when not dropping chimneys.

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Dibnah (Nov 2004)
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 08 Nov 04 - 08:22 AM

Mrs. Johnny's distraught at the news. Fred was a great favourite of hers and she treasures the memory of sharing a dinner table (and having a few pints) with Fred. A great man. RIP.

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Dibnah (Nov 2004)
From: Hawker
Date: 08 Nov 04 - 06:30 PM

Oh Bugger! I am shocked.
What a lovely man, he will be sadly missed
Lucy

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Dibnah (Nov 2004)
From: Sir Roger de Beverley
Date: 09 Nov 04 - 02:17 AM

We played Monk's March at our session on Sunday in memory of Fred (see my earlier message for the significance of that tune.)

Roger

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Dibnah (Nov 2004)
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Nov 04 - 05:55 AM

Fred was a true character and English eccentric and his programmes on steeplejacking, and later programmes on Britain's industrial heritage, are appreciated by all of us who are keen to see our heritage preserved.

Fred's final series, 'Made in Britain' is due to be broadcast in spring 2005.

I hope that Fred's house, traction engines and all the steam paraphernalia in his garden is preserved as a museum in his memory.

Rest in peace Fred.


This was on Fred's site:

Fred Dibnah passed away on Saturday 6th November 2004 at Bolton Hospice following a brave battle with cancer.
Fred's family were with him on Saturday and pass on their thanks for the messages of condolence they have received.


The arrangements for the funeral will be released once the details have been
finalised.
In the meantime any cards can be sent via :-

Arena, Regent's Court,
39 Harrogate Road, Leeds LS7 3PD.

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Dibnah (Nov 2004)
From: Hand-Pulled Boy
Date: 09 Nov 04 - 07:45 PM

Oh no, Emlyn Hughes as well. What a bad fortnight.

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Dibnah (Nov 2004)
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Nov 04 - 04:55 AM

Fred's funeral arrangements have been announced:

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS - TUESDAY 16TH NOVEMBER 2004

11.15am – Cortege to leave family home

12.00pm – Service at Bolton Parish Church

2.00pm   – Burial at Tonge Fold Cemetery, off Bury New Road, Bolton

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Dibnah (Nov 2004)
From: vectis
Date: 10 Nov 04 - 08:15 PM

Very sad news but I'll bet he really enjoyed his final tour. He always seemed to live life to the full. Ta Ra Fred.

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Dibnah (Nov 2004)
From: GUEST,ken
Date: 13 Nov 04 - 07:01 AM

I USED TO SEE FREDS LANDROVER FROM TIME TO TIME ON THE M6, I WISH I HAD MET HIM. HE WAS ONE OF MY HEROES AND I DONT HAVE MANY, THANKS FRED YOU WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Dibnah (Nov 2004)
From:
Date: 15 Nov 04 - 04:25 PM

Last year I saw Fred on the television in different series. I'm very glad I've seen him. He inspired my as a teacher and as a person. I was very sad when I heard the bad news. It's strange, because I never have the oppurtunity tot meet him, but i will always remember him.

His way of explaining everything about the triple-expansion-engine was very amazing. The way he used al kind of machinery en the story about Fred, steaming down a hill, almost hitting an hospital will never be forgotten.

Fred, you're my hero.

From Holland, Sander Hooglander

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Dibnah (Nov 2004)
From: Gervase
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 11:43 AM

Sounds like quite a send-off for the old bugger, judging by the BBC report. I hope they show his programmes again on the mainstream channels as he was a one-off and will be sorely missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Dibnah (Nov 2004)
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 12:59 PM

A tribute from the Bolton Evening News

Also No One Quite Like Fred

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Dibnah (Nov 2004)
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Nov 04 - 07:16 AM

Pictures of Fred Dibnah's Funeral

Looks like Fred had a very good send off.

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Dibnah (Nov 2004)
From: GUEST,musomartin
Date: 01 Jan 13 - 04:34 PM

Fred didn't actually blow chimneys up but was very particular that these monuments to our past were taken down in the old fashioned way. Basically he never wanted to take them down as he had so much respect for the skill of the men who had put them up but, having accepted that they were going to come down anyway, he made sure that the traditional method was used. This entailed removing some bricks from the bottom of the chimney, propping up the remainder o the chimney with wood then setting the whole thing alight. He was particularly keen on making sure that the chimney smoked one last time before it died. This was an unfamiliar hint of romance from Fred, the only time I heard him in that frame of mind.

Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Dibnah (Nov 2004)
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 02 Jan 13 - 04:26 AM

I once watched his programmes about how cathedrals were built. He climbed up inside the roof and showed all the beams and stone reinforcements. He did very clear explanatory drawings and set up mini constructions to show stresses etc. What a knowledgeable man, a very unusual and fascinating personality.