Obit: Fred Dibnah (Nov 2004)

Subject: BS: Fred Dibnah.
From: harpmaker
Date: 29 Apr 04 - 08:10 PM

Fred Dibnah, the steeplejack that blows chimneys up. What an amazing guy.
Over the years Fred has had various programmes on tv. (dont know about the US, or any where else)
He's still going strong.

I remember the time he drove a traction engine for miles to get to a rally, with, wife & kids in the caravan, so funny.

I think he deserves recognition here as his life evolves around the Victorian era & the working class, (and steem engines!)

He's a bit like a musican in a strange sort of way.

Subject: RE: BS: Fred Dibnah.
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 29 Apr 04 - 08:31 PM

A great man - and it's a parallel type of defiant tradition to that surrounding the music, and involves similar people often enough. And sometimes the same people. Here's a site with some stuff about Fred - and a song about him, with a sound file, by Pete Martin, who sounds like he's one of those "same people". Here's the chorus:

'ave you seen 'im? 'ave you 'eard 'im?
Chuggin' down the road, ridin' on 'is old steamroller.
'e's a famous steeplejack
And the old smokestacks
Make his face go black.
'e's a feller from Bolton
Ohh Ohh Fred Dibnah.

Subject: RE: BS: Fred Dibnah.
From: harpmaker
Date: 29 Apr 04 - 09:15 PM

Wow!! I did'nt know that, good on yer'

Dear Mr Max,
Maybee you could remove the BS Title. Many thanks John.

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: Sir Roger de Beverley
Date: 30 Apr 04 - 03:43 AM

The TV series with the steam engines used to open and close with a steam organ playing Monk's March - a morris dace tune I believe (but I'm happy to be corrected if it isn't)

Roger

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 30 Apr 04 - 03:50 AM

Fred was the speaker at a dinner my wife attended a few years ago, and he sat at her table and quaffed a few pints with her. She says he's the funniest man alive, and an absolute mine of information. His TV programmes are compulsory viewing at our house.

He's the sort of guy that makes yer proud to be British!
:0)

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: el ted
Date: 30 Apr 04 - 04:05 AM

If you stood fred dibnah next to harpmaker, you wouldn't be able to tell them apart.

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: greg stephens
Date: 30 Apr 04 - 04:19 AM

Fred has many links with music, and indeed the way he works is very similar to the way some musicians live. The Boat Band (that I play with), and other Cheshire musicians associated with the narrow boat scene, have close links with Fred. I've played at fred's chimney drops, for his TV documentaries, and he's turned out to help launch a Boat Band CD. The boaties, musicians and steamies go to the same rallies, pubs, fairs etc and generally get along fine.
    The great interface of music, boats and steam, the holly Bush Rally at Little Leigh, is alas no more, but we all still meet up elsewhere.

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 30 Apr 04 - 04:21 AM

I like his hat.

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: greg stephens
Date: 30 Apr 04 - 05:31 AM

Get out of here. JOhn. this is a Lancashire thing.

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 30 Apr 04 - 05:34 AM

Lancashire? Where's that?, i think i've heard of it, is it a little village somewhere?

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 30 Apr 04 - 05:56 AM

So why did it take a Hullist (I could never accept Hull as part of Yorkshire) to start the thread, Greg? Something about prophets in their own land comes to mind.......

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: GUEST,IanN
Date: 30 Apr 04 - 05:57 AM

Lancashire's a small village on the outskirts of Cheshire. It's quite nice though. Unlike the neighbouring suburb of Yorkshire where for some reason nobody seems able to spell.

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: el ted
Date: 30 Apr 04 - 06:08 AM

I thought Lancashire was a type of cheese, but it's really a town is it?

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: harpmaker
Date: 30 Apr 04 - 10:07 PM

Anyway ile have got to go now --'Cos Corrie's on.

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: LindsayInWales
Date: 30 Apr 04 - 10:23 PM

I often wonder how Warrington survived when it migrated into Cheshire...what a bloody travesty eh? Fortunately my lot came from Preston which isn't likely to be anywhere else but Lancashire...

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: Phot
Date: 01 May 04 - 03:06 AM

Fred was made an MBE in this years houners list, richley deserved I say. But make the most of the man while you can, he has terminal cancer, not a nice thought I know, but look what he's given us. How many peopple have a replica coal mine in their back garden?

Wassail

Chris

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: GUEST,Jean Phillips
Date: 01 May 04 - 08:09 AM

Here are another couple of sites dedicated to the great man:

http://www.vanl.freeserve.co.uk/gvlFred.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/programmes/dibnah/

For those with cable/satellite TV, there's a showing of The Fred Dibnah Story on the UKTV Documentary channel at 8pm on Sunday 2nd May.

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 01 May 04 - 09:53 AM

Definition of a Lancashireman = a Yorkshireman with his brains kicked out.
eric

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: Big Jim from Jackson
Date: 01 May 04 - 11:18 AM

A few years ago Gary and Vera Aspey sang a song (It's on there latest album) dedicated to Mr. Dibnah. Being here in the middle of the USA, I had not heard of him. Through the song I got a little bit of a clue as to who and what he is. I wish BBC America would carry his shows so that we over here could enjoy his excapades.

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: harpmaker
Date: 03 May 04 - 07:40 PM

I wish our (UK) BBC would show the very first episodes of Fred as quite a young guy (When he used to blow chimneys up) You guy's in the US would be amazed!
Does anyone know if you can get these on video? or DVD?
As Strollin' Johnny quit rightly said, "its compulsive viewing"
Phot, very sorry to here about the terminal C, thats a real shame, he deserves better.
Thanks to Jean Phillips & McGrath for the very interesting links.

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: harpmaker
Date: 03 May 04 - 08:09 PM

and thank's Jeff!

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: ard mhacha
Date: 04 May 04 - 02:25 PM

Sorry to learn that Fred has cancer, I have never missed his programmes.
Harpmaker you are right, his early programmes were very good/

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 04 May 04 - 03:15 PM

Mrs. Johnny was very upset to hear about Fred's illness. If you're out there Fred, very best wishes from Gainsborough.
Johnny

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: harpmaker
Date: 04 May 04 - 06:10 PM

Thanks ard mhacha (ang?)

Greg Stephens, can you give us an events calender where these narrow boat/steam/music things happen, as I would realy like to pay a visit.

Strollin', we echo your sentiment, from Beverley, Iam shure.

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: fat B****rd
Date: 05 May 04 - 04:07 AM

I've always enjoyed Fred's programmes and am very sad to hear of his illness. A great English Institution.

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: harpmaker
Date: 08 May 04 - 06:56 PM

It was a brilliant method of droping chimneys & Fred was a master.
For those who have never seen, I will explain.

Fred would chop out a hole at the base of a massive chimney & then choc the brickwork up with a large balk of wood (like a section of telegraph pole) Then he would start to elongate the hole sideways, chocking as he went, untill he got half way round the chimney.

So you've got thousands of tons of bricks resting on all this wood.

Then he got wagan loads of old scrap timber & old tyres and placed it round the base of the chimney. (by this time he had a massive crowd, locals & film crews etc)
Then he would set fire to it!
It was a long wait, but eventually the chimney fell as the wood burned away!
He always got a cheer & a round of applause, & he always said 'did you like that!' with a big beaming smile! Then he would say 'right then'----- 'to the pub'!!

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 10 May 04 - 01:52 PM

Fred is on TV tonight, BBC2 , show starts at 8pm

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: Penny S.
Date: 10 May 04 - 03:32 PM

I'm watching it - and he's just shown the method of dropping a building to demonstrate the mining of Rochester Castle.

Penny

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: GUEST,Penguin Egg
Date: 10 May 04 - 06:42 PM

I watched it tonight. Great stuff. I've never really appreciated Fred Dibnah before, but he is the genuine article, isn't he. They should have a Dibnah season with all his old programmes on.

The only thing I didn't like about the programme tonight was the music. Sometimes it drowned out everything Dibnah was saying. Bloody stupid. Just let Fred speak and let us hear him.

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: 8_Pints
Date: 10 May 04 - 06:44 PM

I loved the way he demonstrated the strength of a brick built arch by sitting on it until the inevitable happened .......

He always seems to pick himself up with a big beaming smile .... "that should'nt 'ave 'appened!".

Bob vG

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 10 May 04 - 08:32 PM

Did yer like that? ;-)

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: harpmaker
Date: 13 May 04 - 09:36 PM

"Its Goin, Its Goin!"

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: A Wandering Minstrel
Date: 14 May 04 - 07:47 AM

What surprised me, watching his series on castles, was his wonderful penmanship. Even the label he put on his plans for the coalmine to the lPA was a beautiful piece of scripting. They should publish his drawings (if they haven't already).

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: Tracey Dragonsfriend
Date: 14 May 04 - 07:53 AM

I love Fred Dibnah's programmes - so entertaining & educationsl. He's a real character. I'm very sad to hear that he's ill... how do we know this? Are we sure? And if so, is there anything we can do for him, do you think?

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: Sir Roger de Beverley
Date: 14 May 04 - 08:23 AM

A quote from Fred:

"Steam engines are what made England great - and they don't answer back! You can belt them with a hammer and they say nowt!"

R

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: GUEST,JOHN of ELSIE`S BAND
Date: 14 May 04 - 08:57 AM

How about the most decorative chimney stack he built on the family house as a young fellah?. Still to be seen as a monument to his craft is his hometown.

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: Phot
Date: 14 May 04 - 07:06 PM

Steam engines are like women, moody, hard work, expensive, awkward, downright bloody minded. But in the same breath, Elegent, beautiful, powerful, rewarding, and totaly intoxicating.....


Get Tha' bankin shoes on lass, I'm wearing that Cylinder oil No5!

Wassail!

Chris

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: harpmaker
Date: 18 May 04 - 07:07 PM

I think his first wife left him because of his excentricity (Is that the right word?)
Then he married again. And I think that fell through, but then he married a third time & all's well.
(But I could stand corrected on this)

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: harpmaker
Date: 16 Jun 04 - 07:12 PM

Latest.
          Fred has decided to give up all hospital treatments.

He is going to hook up the caravan on the back of one of his steam engines, and tour the country, visiting all his friends with what time he has left.

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: Tracey Dragonsfriend
Date: 17 Jun 04 - 01:32 PM

Oh, I'm so sad to hear that... he's someone I've always had great regard for. One of the real "old guard". I wish there was something I could do...

Sadly,
Tracey Dragonsfriend

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: Megan L
Date: 17 Jun 04 - 02:02 PM

Freds own site makes no mention of him being ill its

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: Megan L
Date: 17 Jun 04 - 02:03 PM

oops no clicky try

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: Megan L
Date: 17 Jun 04 - 02:05 PM

argh clicky death one last try Fred

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: harpmaker
Date: 17 Jun 04 - 03:27 PM

Megan L, I heared it on our local BBC radio (Humberside)

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: Megan L
Date: 17 Jun 04 - 04:54 PM

Not saying you were wrong harp just sad they dont keep sites updated

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: harpmaker
Date: 17 Jun 04 - 07:07 PM

I agree Megan, but its such a sensative issue that maybe he does'nt want it broadcasting.
Just a thought, --- I really dont know.

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: Shanghaiceltic
Date: 17 Jun 04 - 07:11 PM

Heres the story that appeared in the Telegraph on line. I used to watch his programs when I lived in the UK. An amazingly funny man with a wry view on life.

Cancer-stricken Dibnah starts his 'farewell tour'
By Nigel Bunyan
(Filed: 21/05/2004)


Fred Dibnah, the steeplejack who became a television personality, spoke yesterday of his fight against cancer as he set out on what he fears will be a farewell tour.

Dibnah, 66, has rejected a new course of chemotherapy in favour of climbing on board his 1912 traction engine and driving around the nation in search of engineering masterpieces.

   
Steeplejack Fred Dibnah
"While I'm still vertical and active, I am going to keep going," he said. "It feels great to be back on the road again, and I am going to really enjoy this tour."

Recalling the onset of his illness, he said: "I woke up with a terrible pain in my belly.

"I put up with it for one night so as not to worry the wife, but the next night it came back with a vengeance so she took me to the hospital at about four in the morning. They gave me an X-ray, told me I was constipated and packed me off home with some medicine.

"But the pain came back and I had to go and have my kidney taken out. I went home after that operation thinking everything was going to be okay. But about a week and a half later the doctor rang me up and told me to come to the hospital.

"They had found a tumor in my kidney and thought it may have spread - and they were right. I was told I had 12 months to live, but that I might get a little longer if I had some chemotherapy."

That was three years ago. Dibnah, a father-of-three, who lives in his native Bolton with his third wife, Sheila, was eventually given the all-clear.

But once again the cancer returned, attacking his bladder and bowel. A second operation followed which failed to prevent the cancer from spreading. Having had yet another course of chemotherapy, the veteran of 25 television documentaries decided to seek no further medication.

"I am stabilised," he said. "I eat lots of oranges and drink lots of Guinness and I feel great. But who knows what will happen? I'm going to keep on fighting it and enjoying myself while I still have the chance."

For the next three months his home will be the traditional-style caravan he is towing behind his newly-restored Aveling & Porter steam tractor.

His latest 12-part television series, due to be shown on BBC2 later in the year, has the working title Made in Britain.

Dibnah intends it to be a celebration of the best of steam engineering in such diverse locations as the Lake District, Scotland, Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Shropshire, Cheshire and finally Bolton.

In a final gesture, he hopes to drive to Buckingham Palace on his steam tractor to collect his MBE from the Queen.

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: harpmaker
Date: 17 Jun 04 - 08:28 PM

Shanghaiceltic, Thank you so much for sharing that with us.

Aye, when I was a lad, most things where 'made in Britain'

I really do hope that he makes it to B'P'lce.

I have a question to you mudcaters. (without starting another thread)

When people are termaly ill, I feel compelled to play music to them,
to try and give some enjoyment.
I recently discovered that one of my friends wife was ill with cancer.
Mr said he would bring her in for the Sunday (regular) music session.
         I said I would play Harp.
Whooops!
Any advice on this one??

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 18 Jun 04 - 10:15 AM

There is some information about Fred's tour here.

Does Fred actually own a traction engine ? "Betsy" is an "Invicta" Steam-Roller, made by Aveling & Porter of Kent. Aveling & Porter made traction engines which were very similiar to the Rollers, but they only called the latter "Invicta" which is the motto of the Kentish crest - a white horse.

Subject: RE: Fred Dibnah
From: Wyrd Sister
Date: 25 Jun 04 - 02:29 PM

The Small (husband to those who don't know us!) had the good fortune to be involved with one of Fred's projects today. The good news is, he looks in good nick if the photos are anything to go by. And he's just as he comes over on t'telly.
Here's to you, Fred!

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