He was a wonderful down to earth character which is funny when you think of what job he did. He had the great appreciation for the mechanics of the past that produced the future and was a great presenter. Thank you for your comment Alan
I’m watching this one again. He was one of our National Treasures and so likeable. I’ve watched a few programmes on Fred’s life and he was a real character. Definitely a one off.
Im so chuffed to see you've done Fred, i am a late admirer of him.He was one in a million, never will anyone be as incredible as he, thanks beep beep appreciate your lovely channel 😊
Hi Alan Fred took a chimney down at Ballymoney paper mill Alan you could say Fred was from old school his statue in Bolton doesn't look like him,the extension he built was with used bricks there was a row of old houses taken down and they were the same style of bricks used in his house, he got the bricks for taking away at he age of 17 he built a chimney at his parents home his parents house is in Alfred St Bolton, the owner of the house was going to take down the chimney and the Council wouldn't let them take down the chimney it is so unique in construction Alan you should look it up I really enjoy your videos
I adored Fred for his humour and love for old steam engines. I regret not going to meet him when he did a talk at my local theatre (I also have some of the Corgi models that has his name on them). RIP Fred.
@@MotorHomeBeepBeep I met his wife Shelia at the great Dorset steam fair one year while I was walking around the show field. she a very kind lady who was there meeting Fred's fans. as this was long after people broke into Fred's engine shed and stole parts off the newly restored steam traction engine and Fred's steam roller. I decided pretend that I hadn't heard about the break in. so I simply asked her what was happening to Betsy and Shelia told me that Betsy was in the process of being retubed something that Fred had been meaning to do but couldn't due to his illness. she then asked me if I knew how boiler tubes work. I replied yes I do. I found her to be a very kind lady.
My uncle was a steeplejack and buried here as well (Brian Vaughan aged 20) but sadly he got killed along with another steeplejack (Gordon Ainsworth aged 22) both from Bolton in 1954. I don't know much about the accident I have only got a small cutting that was in the news paper I did make a small video putting the paper cutting on here just so people in Bolton would know about the other steeplejacks who lost their life's doing this job. If you want to read about it please look for...(Bolton's Forgotten Steeplejacks ) The scaffold give way and they fell to their deaths. Another man from Blackley that was working with them that day Arthur Willis aged 21 survived the fall. Thank again Alan for sharing all these great videos with us.
Hello Crystal Fred was the opposite of whatever I could do. I'm scared of the nights that's why I admired him. He was a tough old guy. Thank you. Glad you enjoyed alan
I'm going to see if there are any of Fred's programmes on TH-cam. I recognised his name, but I've never seen any of his shows. Thanks again, Alan, for another interesting video.
I have watched id say ALL on Fred..he was a one off.hard working.loved his stream..brilliant engineer,As for climbing up those chimneys definitely not for me..I’ve looked into who now owns his house and I’m disgusted that it did not stay in British hands…such a menial head stone for such a great normal working class man…but one thing it’s great to see that there is a statue of him 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻brilliant mind,just born in the wrong ere-a
Hi Alan Fred Dibnah his tour of Britain with his friend Alf I watched his series over and over That chimney he took down brick by brick £7000,00 Mr Courtalds give him the contract he brought a chimney down in Ireland as well.
@@MotorHomeBeepBeep He presented the Victorian Garden and Victorian kitchen garden, a wonderful man and hortuculturist, his grave is in Blackmoor Churchyard. It's a great story of a life well lived.
Hi Alan trust you are well Alan Fred's Father (Frank) Mother (Betsy) are both buried in Tonge Cemetery Alan that chimney he built at his parents home is like the style of one of the chimneys he worked on
If i ever came home to wheree my forefathers were born ,i would put a brick on freds grave and say a prayer to englands most notable figure , mostly i would ask for the lord to impart me with mr Fred's bullocks ,i would walk the earth with quiet confidence!!!!!
Alan Fred wasn't long in his grave and his property was ransacked sadly if you at the front you will see the heads of the long bolts he had to fit as the rear wall at the back was bowing out he was never out of work Alan I have a set of DVDs of his museium
John, please accept my apology for not answering you. Sometimes you just miss and it gets lost. But thank you. I did enjoy Fred and I'm watching some of his programs now on catch up. He was a Great down to earth guy for a steeplejack :-)
@@MotorHomeBeepBeep Thanks Alan trust you are well we hope to be going from Blackpool to Bolton and visit Freds Moms house and pay a visit to the place were Fred got his meat and potato pie fred will always be remembered might even if we have time visit his Statue I have something in common with Fred working with steam and boliers as part of my Job I was an Industrial Electrician for 28.5 years
That is so sad about his house - unless I missed something, I wonder why his children weren't involved with/willed the items or the house? or one of his wives ?
It's all because of the other wife! I think you know which one. Basically she married him for the money/fame/name etc and come his death, caused all manner of bother. She did things such as stall the will, dragged in a huge legal case etc and the result was instead of an orderly disposal of the estate, it allowed things to deteriorate and get vandalised as mentioned here too. Eventually things got processed (I'm not familiar with who got what) but do know that wife turned out to be the sourest apple in the barrel. Instead of love and mourning she showed nothing but greed. Many items were auctioned off. Some private buyers bought items and then donated them to certain causes. The shaft head frame was stored at Astley Green Mining Museum when I visited a few years back. Other items will be there too. I'm a friend of a good friend of Freds.
@@jackking5567 Thanks so much for your explanation, how very sad. Although I know of Fred, I have to admit to not knowing too much about him or his private life. It's so tragic that some people are so bitter and thrive on greed. This poor man's life's work left to rot. I believe in Karma, what goes around, comes around and I'm sure she will be dealt with appropriately, if she hasn't already. Thanks again for this information 😊
@@Karin- Similar sentiments, yes thanks to Jack for explaining what happened. Fred is a National Treasure. As well as his work as a steeplejack he had an amazing ability to tell the historical stories in a most interesting, captivating way and his illustrations, hand-drawn, were true works of art. I'm sad I wasn't able to visit the house when it was a museum, sad never to have met the man in person but at least much of Fred's work lives on in video clips. RIP Fred
I knew a very rich guy who lived in a Coal owners house he was the life and sole of the house he was an inventor and built a very large indoor swimming pool ect he passed away and I went back to see his wife the house was still there but the heartbeat had gone I think freds house will be the same Once they leave its never the same again but thats life we are only visiting and we all have to go
Very true Mr. Smith and he was such a powerful character and intelligent. I'm sure it would not be the same but he left a nice legacy on this programs. Thank you, Alan
I was lucky enough to work with Fred briefly. His knowledge was amazing. A great man and a great contribution to history .
Omg my dad absolutely loved this man. Beautiful tribute Alan ❤ 💙 🙏 RIP SWEET FRED 😇
Same 😢
Thanks Alan for your warm tribute to Fred he had true northern grit and like us a proud northener am sure you will agree kind regards kevin😊
He was a wonderful down to earth character which is funny when you think of what job he did. He had the great appreciation for the mechanics of the past that produced the future and was a great presenter. Thank you for your comment Alan
Thank you alan
Sorry didn't know about Fred until now rip Fred .thankyou Alan for bit of history ❤
I loved all his programmes. I actually saw him at a Steamrally once. His funeral procession was amazing
I watched his TV programmes with my parents we all enjoyed it thanks for showing his house .
I’m watching this one again. He was one of our National Treasures and so likeable. I’ve watched a few programmes on Fred’s life and he was a real character. Definitely a one off.
Im so chuffed to see you've done Fred, i am a late admirer of him.He was one in a million, never will anyone be as incredible as he, thanks beep beep appreciate your lovely channel 😊
Is it just me who misses him without ever meeting him strange.
This was so enjoyable thank you from New Zealand. I was a big fan of Fred
Fred reached a long way :-) well done Terry
I remember having a pint outside a pub in worsley and he drove past in his steam engine in the late 90s
Hi Alan Fred took a chimney down at Ballymoney paper mill Alan you could say Fred was from old school his statue in Bolton doesn't look like him,the extension he built was with used bricks there was a row of old houses taken down and they were the same style of bricks used in his house, he got the bricks for taking away at he age of 17 he built a chimney at his parents home his parents house is in Alfred St Bolton, the owner of the house was going to take down the chimney and the Council wouldn't let them take down the chimney it is so unique in construction Alan you should look it up I really enjoy your videos
I adored Fred for his humour and love for old steam engines. I regret not going to meet him when he did a talk at my local theatre (I also have some of the Corgi models that has his name on them). RIP Fred.
What a shame you did not go. If ever you get the opportunity to see someone you like grab it with both hands...
@@MotorHomeBeepBeep I met his wife Shelia at the great Dorset steam fair one year while I was walking around the show field.
she a very kind lady who was there meeting Fred's fans. as this was long after people broke into Fred's engine shed and stole parts off the newly restored steam traction engine and Fred's steam roller. I decided pretend that I hadn't heard about the break in.
so I simply asked her what was happening to Betsy and Shelia told me that Betsy was in the process of being retubed something that Fred had been meaning to do but couldn't due to his illness. she then asked me if I knew how boiler tubes work. I replied yes I do.
I found her to be a very kind lady.
Very sad him passing away he never had time to enjoy any retirement ,,
Fred Dibnah...British legend!
My uncle was a steeplejack and buried here as well (Brian Vaughan aged 20) but sadly he got killed along with another steeplejack (Gordon Ainsworth aged 22) both from Bolton in 1954.
I don't know much about the accident I have only got a small cutting that was in the news paper I did make a small video putting the paper cutting on here just so people in Bolton would know about the other steeplejacks who lost their life's doing this job. If you want to read about it please look for...(Bolton's Forgotten Steeplejacks )
The scaffold give way and they fell to their deaths. Another man from Blackley that was working with them that day Arthur Willis aged 21 survived the fall.
Thank again Alan for sharing all these great videos with us.
Thanks Alan another enjoyable video thankyou 😊❤️
Hello Crystal Fred was the opposite of whatever I could do. I'm scared of the nights that's why I admired him. He was a tough old guy. Thank you. Glad you enjoyed alan
Such an interesting channel thank you
Maureen, how sweet of you. Alan
Fred what an interesting guy. I remember him showing how to blow up a chimney.
I'm going to see if there are any of Fred's programmes on TH-cam. I recognised his name, but I've never seen any of his shows. Thanks again, Alan, for another interesting video.
Look for indoor League. It was the compare and he did a good job on it
Loved fred
Loved this video realy interresting keep them coming ❤️ RIP Fred God bless
I will do Maggie thank you have a lovely day Alan
missed the Ariel footage but still an extremely good and informative video.
I know but did you see that starlit Richard
I have watched id say ALL on Fred..he was a one off.hard working.loved his stream..brilliant engineer,As for climbing up those chimneys definitely not for me..I’ve looked into who now owns his house and I’m disgusted that it did not stay in British hands…such a menial head stone for such a great normal working class man…but one thing it’s great to see that there is a statue of him 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻brilliant mind,just born in the wrong ere-a
Hi Alan Fred Dibnah his tour of Britain with his friend Alf I watched his series over and over That chimney he took down brick by brick £7000,00 Mr Courtalds give him the contract he brought a chimney down in Ireland as well.
Could you do the story and grave of Harry Dodson when you get time for it?
I'll look him up Tris I've got to admit I don't know the person
@@MotorHomeBeepBeep He presented the Victorian Garden and Victorian kitchen garden, a wonderful man and hortuculturist, his grave is in Blackmoor Churchyard. It's a great story of a life well lived.
I subscribed and hit the notification bell.
Great lots of new films coming and thank you.
Great video keep them coming 😎
So pleased you enjoyed and thank you for commenting. He was a great guy was Fred. We've got plenty in line. Don't worry. See you, Keith
Just found this❤
Looking so interesting film..
Thank you Rena pleased you enjoyed our Fred
Great video…… 👍
Hi Alan trust you are well Alan Fred's Father (Frank) Mother (Betsy) are both buried in Tonge Cemetery Alan that chimney he built at his parents home is like the style of one of the chimneys he worked on
Hello John, I didn't know that about his parents all about the chimney. You are a mine of information :-)
If i ever came home to wheree my forefathers were born ,i would put a brick on freds grave and say a prayer to englands most notable figure , mostly i would ask for the lord to impart me with mr Fred's bullocks ,i would walk the earth with quiet confidence!!!!!
Used to say alan one slip up here spend half day with a undertakers lol top guy
Russell Harry ask them if they ever had an accident climbing and he said he never had. But like you say you only have one from that high 😃
Alan Fred wasn't long in his grave and his property was ransacked sadly if you at the front you will see the heads of the long bolts he had to fit as the rear wall at the back was bowing out he was never out of work Alan I have a set of DVDs of his museium
John, please accept my apology for not answering you. Sometimes you just miss and it gets lost. But thank you. I did enjoy Fred and I'm watching some of his programs now on catch up. He was a Great down to earth guy for a steeplejack :-)
@@MotorHomeBeepBeep Thanks Alan trust you are well we hope to be going from Blackpool to Bolton and visit Freds Moms house and pay a visit to the place were Fred got his meat and potato pie fred will always be remembered might even if we have time visit his Statue I have something in common with Fred working with steam and boliers as part of my Job I was an Industrial Electrician for 28.5 years
That is so sad about his house - unless I missed something, I wonder why his children weren't involved with/willed the items or the house? or one of his wives ?
I think his workshop got vandalised
It's all because of the other wife! I think you know which one. Basically she married him for the money/fame/name etc and come his death, caused all manner of bother. She did things such as stall the will, dragged in a huge legal case etc and the result was instead of an orderly disposal of the estate, it allowed things to deteriorate and get vandalised as mentioned here too.
Eventually things got processed (I'm not familiar with who got what) but do know that wife turned out to be the sourest apple in the barrel. Instead of love and mourning she showed nothing but greed.
Many items were auctioned off. Some private buyers bought items and then donated them to certain causes. The shaft head frame was stored at Astley Green Mining Museum when I visited a few years back. Other items will be there too.
I'm a friend of a good friend of Freds.
@@jackking5567 Thanks so much for your explanation, how very sad. Although I know of Fred, I have to admit to not knowing too much about him or his private life. It's so tragic that some people are so bitter and thrive on greed. This poor man's life's work left to rot. I believe in Karma, what goes around, comes around and I'm sure she will be dealt with appropriately, if she hasn't already. Thanks again for this information 😊
@@Karin- Similar sentiments, yes thanks to Jack for explaining what happened. Fred is a National Treasure. As well as his work as a steeplejack he had an amazing ability to tell the historical stories in a most interesting, captivating way and his illustrations, hand-drawn, were true works of art. I'm sad I wasn't able to visit the house when it was a museum, sad never to have met the man in person but at least much of Fred's work lives on in video clips. RIP Fred
I knew a very rich guy who lived in a Coal owners house he was the life and sole of the house he was an inventor and built a very large indoor swimming pool ect he passed away and I went back to see his wife the house was still there but the heartbeat had gone I think freds house will be the same Once they leave its never the same again but thats life we are only visiting and we all have to go
Very true Mr. Smith and he was such a powerful character and intelligent. I'm sure it would not be the same but he left a nice legacy on this programs. Thank you, Alan
"Chimley"?
Don't sweat the small stuff
@MotorHomeBeepBeep The big stuff is made up of the small stuff, so you should sweat it.
He was a alcohol Horlick !! And had more wifes than Henry 8th. had to be to clime that hi