"As you get a bit higher up, the holes have a tendency to get a bit deeper. I think it's called fear." LOL. Fred was quite an impressive person to say the least.
he said in one of his interview that being young he collected photos of fallen steeplejacks in Bolton pinning them to the door. When Fred was 16 the door was covered... As he also said: "You don't fall off the 90 feet chimney the second time, you know".
With all the turmoil in the world today, watching this nice old man climb tall ladders like a little boy brings me a sense of purpose in life and a level of peace. He's climbing a ladder, but somehow it's so much more.
One thing I realized as I got older is that there's a whole lot of people who, like me, watch these kind of videos to escape their own lives and the anxiety and depression which it brings. There really is only one thing that has proven to bring peace and happiness in ones own life.
@@pimcopim I think Fred was about 55 when he made this film. Unfortunately his health quickly deteriorated and he died from lung cancer about 10 years later. He did smoke proper fags but breathing in the soot and dust didn't help him . R.I.P .
"If that 'appened to come out, I'd still be in with a chance you know?...." Makes my palms sweat watching this, I took my Dad to meet Fred years ago for Father's day at a book signing, and what a joy it was to waych two old time craftsmen (Fred was WAY more than a steplejack and Dad is a coppersmith) thumbs looped into their waistbands exchanging stories, a really lovely man RIP Fred Dibnah
I used to cut roofs, and work off ladders, But what fred does takes a right nutter, there isn't enough money in the whole wide world that would get me to do his job.
@@iamrocketray I watch this and think if I had to ladder that chimney to save a loved ones life then the poor people would be goners.I couldn’t do it!!!
"Its quite simple really" not me Fred. I would.have a death grip on the third rung of the first ladder! I.wonder how often he had to work in wind and rain? When you get to the top you don't just trot on back down to the ground at the first sign of rain do you?
"When you're three quarters of the way up and the wind tries to snap the ladder off sideways..its quite exciting." 😳🤣 I could watch and listen to Fred all day ! So grateful they made these films about him and he made his own films about industry and architecture! Back when you said you're proud to be British..in large part because the country had alot more guys like Fred going about his tough business just matter of fact! RIP
it is still done. the method is still in use ie. rope, pulley. but you must be attached at all times & use proven materials ie. aluminium ladders, climbing rope, eyebolts, resin etc. and a lot of H&S paperwork :)
@Roderick storey yeah stopping people from dying is problematic, we need to secure the old ways of working when people got poisoned from coal mines and arms ripped off from non safety building materials.
@@prawngravy18 fell free to live in a bubble, this is the real world and the real world is dangerous. the problem is stupid people will still get hurt and putting restrictions on the professionals in many cases is now making things more dangerous. you should look into how many people die from fall protection when if they wernt wearing fall protection they would have only had a broke leg or arm they end up dead because the fall protection it self killed them.
It just shows how skilled Fred was and how confident he was in his own abilities, because he was the only one climbing the chimneys he worked on! Incredible talent and sadly missed 😞
Mr Fred 'Titanium Testicles' Dibnah was one hell of a man. Not only was his work at the extreme end of dangerous, he used old kit, didn't wear a harness and was fuelled by a pub lunch and a few pints. Its just one big WTF!!! Top man.
EVOCATEUR i agree he was bloody brilliant... but maybe because all over England, Scotland Irish and Wales every town had a few of these resourceful, skilled, no BS chaps.
@@georgecroney6168 That's not actually correct. You'd attach to the ladder asit went up, pain in the arse but probably health and safety correct. But he didn't use one even when he was up there.
I wonder how many people came across Fred by mistake but have now watched most of his Vids. You'll never see a man alive who can come close to the legend of FD.
I cannot believe how he describes such a life threatening job in such a calm and casual manner, while I get dizzy standing on a chair to hang a picture
“It’s the dodgy bit when it’s very windy, and ‘yer three quarters of the way up and the winds trying ta snap that ladder off sideways, err, it’s quite exciting.“ Faaaaark man, balls of steel. I’m laughing and I’m shaking with fear… and I’m sat at my desk.
That man is a LEGEND I remember watching his programme when I was a kid , I am north of 50 now myself . Fred Dibnah represents all that was good about Britain, his character , hard work ethic , easy going presenting style , love of British engineering heritage, a genuine genuine guy and someone the country could be proud of ...he was not rare back in the day many Brits were like him ...sadly all gone now replaced by "reality" stars like Jordan ,Those Towie idiots, and Geordie Shore nobodys Kim Kardashian the list is endless ...how things have changed for the worse in my opinion in television land and the world in general..
To be honest theres still plenty of good hard working brits with old values it's just that the media wants everyone to think the world is full of celebrity wannabes.
Work ethic isn't the same these days. Zeitgeist is vastly differnt, trades are pushed for quantity over quality... Also the biggest quality he has goig for him, he's Northen. 👍
One of the most impressive things for me with Fred was he kept all that knowledge and know how in his head! On top of all the hobby stuff to do with building steam engines, combustion engines, construction knowledge, he then kept all those plans for laddering, scaffolding, pulley systems, the list goes on but its incredible.
Regarding the knowledge shown in this video only, there isn't much to remember and it's pretty straightforward. So keeping it in your head is no big deal. What is amazing is the following: Having the balls to even try this Hammering into the side of a chimney so high up Building the scaffolding at the top Owning this many ladders lol Having the balls to even try this Not wearing any harness Climbing all the way up with such massive balls No guardrail at the top scaffolding Did I mention him doing this job with such massive balls? Lol What a fucking legend. This is would be hard to believe if someone was telling you the story if you didn't see it for yourself. That's how amazing it is
@@coppulor6500 maybe so, but as he mentioned he learned from a bit of chalk drawn on the floor by his old boss in I assume like the 40/50s, and then forevermore simply recalled that drawing, there were no books or anything or exams, it reminds me of self taught musicians.
@@freepartytunes roger that. This guy was a supeduperman. I've been on ladders for 25 years and up relatively high and on roof etc but no way you could pay me enough to do what he did. Well ... Not without all kinds of safety backup and backups to the backups lol. What a beast
@@coppulor6500 oh for sure, i wont lie I enjoy watching fred work on the ground too the guy was just enthralling, maybe its being from near bolton its almost calming to hear the accent haha 😆 but yeah his shows on steam engines and rebuilding his house are some of my favourites
When my head needs a bit of grounding about working in the trade, Fred Dibnah never fails to put things back in perspective. I watch in awe of his technical experience and his workmanship. Thank you Fred 🙏🏻 rest in peace.
This guy reminds me of my grandfather who was a carpenter. That level of craftsmanship and ball size is hard to find nowadays these old guys were great.
Fred was not only a flaming legend, but as crazy as they came! So much kudos & respect for what he did, and how he did it. Only modern comparison is perhaps Guy Martin; & even he ain't got the balls of dearly departed Fred. Grew up watching his shows, & now found them all to watch again here. Thanks for the uploads & sharing.
Amazing Skill !! Sitting atop a 30 foot ladder - balanced on one leg, swinging a 3 pound sledge drilling holes in the brick wall and installing your dogs, and saying " oh yeah it's a bit easy I have done this at least 7 times before." I am falling off my chair both in laughter and in respect for what you do every day!! Love your humor -"When the wind is trying to tear the ladder off the chimney - it's quite exciting!!"
Such an honest guy. He never treats his viewers as if they ate stupid. But he has an amazing way of explaining even the most minor details but they actually end up contributing to an overall enhanced picture of what he is trying to explain. Its very easy to get lost in it all 👌
Fred dibnah was an absolute legend!! Born 100 years to late!! Lovely industrial engineering and a proper worker! Loved watching all his programmes when I was younger
A technique resigned to history. Glad it’s been preserved on film for future generations to see. I wonder how many other historical skills and methods have been and gone through time that we will never know about.
Met Fred back in September '83 when he felled a chimney at the BICC, Prescot, Lancs. I followed his programmes avidly and have always been in awe of his manner and skill, what a bloke. As has been said and I make no apology for repeating, " They don't make them like that anymore, what a legend, RIP Fred"...
I'm a scaffolder and I have been working since I was 14 years old. My 1st company was really old-fashioned and safety certificates and trainings were not yet a standard back then and I always admired how inventive and creative these old guys were. I learned a lot of tricks and problem solving skills there. The hard way too, they wouldn't sugar coat criticism but seeing Fred I miss those days.
Thank you 11yr old younger sameoldmatt for preserving this! And thank you current day sameoldmatt for recognising the ongoing importance of this most excellent of great men!
👍🏻 ha it’s the only thing I’ve ever uploaded 😂 I had to split in 2 parts as TH-cam had a 10 minute limit, old school. I don’t own the copyright it’s ripped from one of his dvd’s. There’s so many copies of it now it will never be unseen / taken down, which is important. RIP Fred
Definitely a brave soul . As a mason for 43 years , I've scaffolded chimneys on 3 story houses by myself without a helper. When you work by yourself you learn ways to make it easy on your body. And you make deliberate motions and are very safety conscious. You do what you have to do.
Daniel Dore doing what my grandpa did is a dying breed he would scale 300 foot stacks and walk around the top like he was going to dah beach. A real bloke here no little boy
Unbelievable!! He has to put all those ladders up! Then swing about on a wooden swing with ropes whilst erecting staging and platforms hundreds of feet up! Chisel the chimney down and then somehow take it all down again!!! There is no amount of money I would do that for. That is super human abilty!! No other explaination.
yes unbelievable!! he explained the wind can blow and twist the ladders'.... oh shit he said it makes it exciting.... shitting myself watching and reminds me of bungee jumping off a crane
Brilliant, love old Fred Dibnah, watched a many a program with Fred, like this one when he was still relatively young, all the way to Fred Dibnahs' Age of Steam and Steel, proper down to earth working class man of the people, kids loved seeing him doing his work, that's how we kids were back in the 70s-80s, i Always remember watching workmen doing what ever work they were doing, always a bunch of us kids watching them lift something high up using cranes and pulleys, and I'm still as interested today as I ever was.
Amazing how he did this without any safety harness and survived to live to 66 years save for cancer. Just goes to show health and safety is common sense if its done correctly. Rest easy fred.
Fred himself used to say a chimney would take his live eventually. If I play Russian roulette there is obviously a chance I survive but if I do that does mean it safe . I think Fred was a bit lucky to get through his profession unscathed -pleased he did obviously. Part of the appeal of these programmes at the time might have been that Fred took some risks even by the standards of 1970s health and safety culture. My dad worked on building sites in 1960s/1970s and even he sometimes thinks bloody hell when we watch these together today.
@@MrBobsmith34 There was a guy from Norway doing videos of swimming during their winter, diving through ice and so on and people were always amazed he even survived the cold. He beat cancer too. Last video he did was his annual one of celebrating his birthday. He drowned while filming a video. Fell in through ice. Weird how luck or chance seemingly plays an instrumental part. His channel is called Apetor btw
@@MrBobsmith34 nah Nothing to do with a luck ,Fred was just on a different level , we have these high climbers doing these silly climbs today some of them even higher the same with zero harnesses .
He's a fearless man for doing that. I did many parachute jumps in the army and am not scared of heights, but no way would I be doing that without some form of safety harness.. R.I.P. Fred.
Fabulous video. I have just done a video with drone footage of Ena Mill, paying homage to the true grit of Fred Dibnah. We will never see his like again. What an awesome character. It was amazing to stand where Fred had stood and look 👀 up at the awe inspiring height of the chimney brickwork. Cheers Dean
I literally felt vertigo watching Fred do this. Don't know how he did, but bless his heart. Don't know how he straddled the top of the ladder with balls that big!
Proper old school telly. Seeing a craftsman doing his thing like he was taking the dog for a walk. John Noakes did something similar in Blue Peter. Had to scale Nelson's Column in order to clean it. He just got on with it. Two legends.
Very interesting to note how his way of speaking has changed so dramatically between this filming and the famous "Fred Dibnah: Steeplejack" documentary from 30 years ago. He's so much calmer and clearer in speech and phrasing. Genuine quality, that man.
I’m from Manchester and I heard a good tale about Fred. He was employed by a northern council to do some work on top of a 200 ft chimney. He comes down and says to the suit with a clipboard, “it’s done, ‘ere’s me bill.” The suit asks “how do I know it’s done?” Fred replies “get yersen up ladder an’ ‘ave a look!”😀😀
I love his sense of humor. Never in a million years would I have learned about this if it weren't for this video. I just assumed you would use a bucket truck or a scaffolding to do whatever he is going to do.
I recorded all of the "Dibnah Stuff", while living just outside of Dublin (had to do the PAL to NTSC conversion), and shipped the tapes back to the states - for my family to enjoy. (along with a case of "Barry's Tea", "Soda Bread", and "Irish Bacon") Although I never had the chance to witness it, I am told that my grandmother, the quintessential Irish Catholic, and physician, "would pray the rosary at warp speed, when Fred began climbing". An Irish woman, born at the turn of the century, praying for a Brit; who'd have thunk it??
3:07 This bit cracked me up... I’ve been a touring lighting director for a band for 23 years so I’ve been up quite a few ladders so I can attest that the higher you go, the more terrifying it gets (especially on older A-frame stage ladders with vertical extensions... so much wobbling !!). I also used to work at a planetarium (the reason I stumbled into the lighting field in the first place) where there was a curved ladder that swiveled around the top of the inner dome all the way around giving you full access to everything attached to the inner dome... thing is, that inner dome is just perforated sheet metal painted white and when you’re near the top you’re a good 40-50’ above the star projector which would *_not_* be pleasant to land on what with all the tiny sharp glass filters and other pokey bits all over it. Thankfully these days I’ve a crew that does most of the truss work for me (ok, all of it, but I still go up there from time to time) so I can stay safely on the ground and just program and run the shows. Mad respect for this guy as this is *_seriously_* scary work !!!
Get off the ground you boomer and quit making others risk their lives for a pittance of Federal Reserve notes that are becoming more worthless by the second. And then you have the balls to lecture my generation on being entitled
Time well spent watching this, reminds me of working on tall ships. Despite being terrified of heights I eventually managed to make the top of the main mast but was far from comfortable. I don’t think you would find many people willing to do this these days.
One Sunday morning, Earlyish, I heard a commotion, a rattling rumbling....and a Traction Engine and wagon came thundering by {Past Temple Meads Station and towards Old Market, Bristol. I turned to gawk, and it was Fred, Rag in hand driving it. It must have been towards the end of his life... a great sound and sight. 👍
What an amazing man. His skill and methods were truly awesome. I Rig up some pretty daring staging in my work and use Ladders quite a bit. Nothing compares to this. RIP Fred.
Me and my cousin were obsessed with Fred when we were kids. When he was on the telly in the 80's, they didn't have the foresight to pixelate his phone number on the side of his van. So my cousin made a note of it. When we were bored one summer holiday and our parents were out at work, we phoned him. But unfortunately he wasn't at home, so we never got to speak to the great man.
What is fascinating is this is the old traditional method, Fred must have been the last to use these techniques that were developed in the Victorian era! Now they would use a power drill and drop in an anchor bolt, the modern way is safer but it is amazing to see how it was done!
This sort of rare skill and experience is priceless. He should have made more money than any dentist or doctor as his skills are a lost art that I doubt hardly anyone is wiling to learn.
Fred made sure we didn’t forget our history His daughter still has his old Land Rover she live 2 miles from me in hoddlesden i live in darwen 7 miles from Fred’s hometown Bolton The video of him climbing India mill chimney in darwen is awesome
I really can not speak enough superlatives about this brilliant,steeplejack and engineer. Im just in awe and have my stomach in my mouth admiring his big top style high wire antics. A true one off charicter that we'll never see the likes of again. DID YOU LIKE THAT💯👍
Once or twice a year I come and watch videos of Fred climbing or playing with his traction engine. I still cannot believe the man did the things he did. It’s just incredible man lived to retirement! And to those who have swung a sledge hammer from the top of a ladder know how precarious it really is. Now imagine doing it and you hang your ladders!
The part when he's lashed a ladder and straddles over the top to pass up the next always baffles me, it's just his legs holding him on and to have the courage and trust in your fixings below was just an incredible process to watch. And the other very clever thing is he's using the lightning conductor rod already connected to the chimney as a datum to keep the ladders in line and plumb.
Takes me back a bit, doing that back in 1978. Preferred concrete chimneys like at Tilbury power station that had big screw holes to put eyed bolts in instead of making holes for plugs and dogs. More nostalgic about the brick ones though.
@@jimbobur no I don't actually keep sources of these things as it's irrelevant in my life.....but I'm sure if you wanted you could source it via his wives friends family etc
I’ve only first seen this of Fred laddering a chimney a year or two ago and now I’ve probably watched this 20 times and here I am again. It’s damn fascinating.
Fred Dibnah was an household name when I was a teenager. I was fascinated by this man and the courage that he often showed during the many hours of filming being recorded. He was an amazing broadcaster whom found it very easy to keep your attention focused on any subject he would discuss. The amazing talent and charisma oozed from him, which fascinated many people, also the skills he had, especially drawing which often amazed me. One thing some people may not know and that is? He was one hell of a tight ass, he never once dipped his hand into his own wallet to pay for a round of drinks. I guess he believed that the time he spent talking to folks in a pub was not a freebie where he was concerned. One tight old git...lol... I guess you cannot get blood from a stone... God bless you Fred. Sadly missed.
![ILLSLICK - KILLSHOT REMIX [FULL VERSION]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/RIK8RrqIAzE/mqdefault.jpg)
"As you get a bit higher up, the holes have a tendency to get a bit deeper. I think it's called fear." LOL. Fred was quite an impressive person to say the least.
he said in one of his interview that being young he collected photos of fallen steeplejacks in Bolton pinning them to the door. When Fred was 16 the door was covered... As he also said: "You don't fall off the 90 feet chimney the second time, you know".
He was some man - never to see his likes again. We miss you Fred.
I liked that also
What about the old beer belly gets in handy 😂
@@elrond12eleven almost 200 workers died in the past UK
With all the turmoil in the world today, watching this nice old man climb tall ladders like a little boy brings me a sense of purpose in life and a level of peace. He's climbing a ladder, but somehow it's so much more.
One thing I realized as I got older is that there's a whole lot of people who, like me, watch these kind of videos to escape their own lives and the anxiety and depression which it brings. There really is only one thing that has proven to bring peace and happiness in ones own life.
he was not that old then he just was born old: his mother had a difficult birth because he came wearing a flat hat
Old skool rules. X
@@pimcopim I think Fred was about 55 when he made this film.
Unfortunately his health quickly deteriorated and he died from lung cancer about 10 years later.
He did smoke proper fags but breathing in the soot and dust didn't help him . R.I.P .
@@pimcopim young kid response
"If that 'appened to come out, I'd still be in with a chance you know?...." Makes my palms sweat watching this, I took my Dad to meet Fred years ago for Father's day at a book signing, and what a joy it was to waych two old time craftsmen (Fred was WAY more than a steplejack and Dad is a coppersmith) thumbs looped into their waistbands exchanging stories, a really lovely man RIP Fred Dibnah
Brilliant image.
Thanks for sharing. Stories like this make the comment section almost as good as the video :-)
Wish I could have done this for my dad.. He luved Fred.. 😁
Hope you are fixing plenty of old engines up there Fred!
You are a legend down here.
Who else is watching this in sheer awe of Freds skill and bravery?
I used to cut roofs, and work off ladders, But what fred does takes a right nutter, there isn't enough money in the whole wide world that would get me to do his job.
@@iamrocketray I watch this and think if I had to ladder that chimney to save a loved ones life then the poor people would be goners.I couldn’t do it!!!
"Its quite simple really" not me Fred. I would.have a death grip on the third rung of the first ladder!
I.wonder how often he had to work in wind and rain? When you get to the top you don't just trot on back down to the ground at the first sign of rain do you?
Balls of fuckin steel mate!!!!
Amazing
"When you're three quarters of the way up and the wind tries to snap the ladder off sideways..its quite exciting." 😳🤣
I could watch and listen to Fred all day ! So grateful they made these films about him and he made his own films about industry and architecture!
Back when you said you're proud to be British..in large part because the country had alot more guys like Fred going about his tough business just matter of fact!
RIP
Funny how the less wyte a country becomes the more corrupt, bankrupt morally and financially, and inept it becomes....weird.
Are you saying other countries didn't have the exact same type of workers?
@@reknakfarg7252 Where did he say that? Nowhere, you dunce
@@reknakfarg7252yes
freds safety equipment:
Safety flat cap
Safety cigarette
Jobsagoodun.
...BUT 1ST A FEW BEERS.
@@dogboymalone11 Of course. Safety beers.
A belly full of beer is essential
The one and only Fred Dibnah. The classic example of a great North of England history. Gone but never forgotten, Sir Fred Dibnah
He knows there's only him holding him up so no mix up with harness.
Never be done again in the UK this.
Watching a dead trade literally.
A great man!An icon.And a worker.
it is still done. the method is still in use ie. rope, pulley. but you must be attached at all times & use proven materials ie. aluminium ladders, climbing rope, eyebolts, resin etc. and a lot of H&S paperwork :)
The old wooden steeplejack ladders would often give you horrible splinters and very heavy. Dogs can and have pulled out.
@Roderick storey yeah stopping people from dying is problematic, we need to secure the old ways of working when people got poisoned from coal mines and arms ripped off from non safety building materials.
@@prawngravy18 fell free to live in a bubble, this is the real world and the real world is dangerous. the problem is stupid people will still get hurt and putting restrictions on the professionals in many cases is now making things more dangerous. you should look into how many people die from fall protection when if they wernt wearing fall protection they would have only had a broke leg or arm they end up dead because the fall protection it self killed them.
He's no man... he's a bloke.. old skool
''As you get 'igher up the oles have a tendency to get a bit deeper...ah think it's called Fear'' - great Fred !
As you get igher up yer buttoks get tarter.
He says that and laughs ...the man had balls of steel hahaha 😲👍
Thanks for quoting.we all missed that bit
@@stephenlambert9826 You'd be surprised how many people lack the ability to understand his English. They're now googling what the hell "oles" are :-)
I Hurd that too bro
Can't say why, but for me, this is probably the single most interesting video on youtube.
It just shows how skilled Fred was and how confident he was in his own abilities, because he was the only one climbing the chimneys he worked on! Incredible talent and sadly missed 😞
Balls of steel... Men like this built Great Britain with their bare hands....an era gone forever..One of a kind ....RIP Fred
Thought it was diversity 😮
Demolished lots of it too 😅
Fred was an absolute legend and yes sadly an era gone forever
Not really. There are still plenty of steeplejacks in the UK.
@@peteredwards7760the slaves and foreigners saved Britain no doubt.
Mr Fred 'Titanium Testicles' Dibnah was one hell of a man. Not only was his work at the extreme end of dangerous, he used old kit, didn't wear a harness and was fuelled by a pub lunch and a few pints. Its just one big WTF!!! Top man.
Bertram LeFarge pointless using a harness, theres nothing to attach to unless youve already got to the top!
Titanium ? Fred would have no truck with such nasty modern materials, proper victorian cast iron or nowt.
How this man was never knighted is a travesty. He should get a posthumous knighthood at the very least.
EVOCATEUR i agree he was bloody brilliant... but maybe because all over England, Scotland Irish and Wales every town had a few of these resourceful, skilled, no BS chaps.
@@georgecroney6168 That's not actually correct. You'd attach to the ladder asit went up, pain in the arse but probably health and safety correct. But he didn't use one even when he was up there.
They simply don't make em like that anymore. What a legend.
(when he had all the ladders hauled up and fixed, the hardest job of all came next - pulling his massive balls up the chimney after him)
dont be stupid, thousands of steeplejacks do this
Agreed, most ladders are now made in China
@@astroboirap And none are from the past two generations.
@@shinyguy3766 Don't go mistaking your weakness for others, plenty of people do this shit just not you.
I wonder how many people came across Fred by mistake but have now watched most of his Vids. You'll never see a man alive who can come close to the legend of FD.
Aside from being a brilliant steeplejack and engineer he was also an outstanding draughtsman and talented artist.
Yes. Went to art school!
He signed a book for me once, beautiful handwriting.
And as self aware and eloquent as all get out!
"It's perfectly safe...." Fred, you mad, mad bastard.
🤣🤣 I get head staggers climbing into a bunk bed ffs.
I cannot believe how he describes such a life threatening job in such a calm and casual manner, while I get dizzy standing on a chair to hang a picture
man up
My god this man's completely fearless. What a wonderful bloke.
Legend has it that Fred didn’t die but rather reached heaven with an infinite supply of ladders
cringe
@@OregonCrow no empathy
@@palmeristo - He's a gamer and most likely American - don't be that shocked.
@@OregonCrow don't be a wad.
He'd be the man to do it.
“It’s the dodgy bit when it’s very windy, and ‘yer three quarters of the way up and the winds trying ta snap that ladder off sideways, err, it’s quite exciting.“ Faaaaark man, balls of steel. I’m laughing and I’m shaking with fear… and I’m sat at my desk.
That man is a LEGEND I remember watching his programme when I was a kid , I am north of 50 now myself . Fred Dibnah represents all that was good about Britain, his character , hard work ethic , easy going presenting style , love of British engineering heritage, a genuine genuine guy and someone the country could be proud of ...he was not rare back in the day many Brits were like him ...sadly all gone now replaced by "reality" stars like Jordan ,Those Towie idiots, and Geordie Shore nobodys Kim Kardashian the list is endless ...how things have changed for the worse in my opinion in television land and the world in general..
So true
Spot on
My friend is a bit of an eccentric like Fred! Loads of bikes, land rovers and a steam engine! I’m sure they could a series on him!
To be honest theres still plenty of good hard working brits with old values it's just that the media wants everyone to think the world is full of celebrity wannabes.
Could not agree more.
I have been watching his videos and I have to say this man is incredible... this old man could out work any teenager or someone in their 20s...
Yes, because he has decades of experience.
Work ethic isn't the same these days. Zeitgeist is vastly differnt, trades are pushed for quantity over quality...
Also the biggest quality he has goig for him, he's Northen. 👍
No question there,
@@spiritinflux Lancastrian most importantly
Incorrect.
One of the most impressive things for me with Fred was he kept all that knowledge and know how in his head! On top of all the hobby stuff to do with building steam engines, combustion engines, construction knowledge, he then kept all those plans for laddering, scaffolding, pulley systems, the list goes on but its incredible.
Regarding the knowledge shown in this video only, there isn't much to remember and it's pretty straightforward. So keeping it in your head is no big deal. What is amazing is the following:
Having the balls to even try this
Hammering into the side of a chimney so high up
Building the scaffolding at the top
Owning this many ladders lol
Having the balls to even try this
Not wearing any harness
Climbing all the way up with such massive balls
No guardrail at the top scaffolding
Did I mention him doing this job with such massive balls? Lol
What a fucking legend. This is would be hard to believe if someone was telling you the story if you didn't see it for yourself. That's how amazing it is
@@coppulor6500 maybe so, but as he mentioned he learned from a bit of chalk drawn on the floor by his old boss in I assume like the 40/50s, and then forevermore simply recalled that drawing, there were no books or anything or exams, it reminds me of self taught musicians.
@@freepartytunes roger that. This guy was a supeduperman. I've been on ladders for 25 years and up relatively high and on roof etc but no way you could pay me enough to do what he did. Well ... Not without all kinds of safety backup and backups to the backups lol. What a beast
@@coppulor6500 oh for sure, i wont lie I enjoy watching fred work on the ground too the guy was just enthralling, maybe its being from near bolton its almost calming to hear the accent haha 😆 but yeah his shows on steam engines and rebuilding his house are some of my favourites
When my head needs a bit of grounding about working in the trade, Fred Dibnah never fails to put things back in perspective. I watch in awe of his technical experience and his workmanship. Thank you Fred 🙏🏻 rest in peace.
This guy reminds me of my grandfather who was a carpenter. That level of craftsmanship and ball size is hard to find nowadays these old guys were great.
Fred was not only a flaming legend, but as crazy as they came! So much kudos & respect for what he did, and how he did it. Only modern comparison is perhaps Guy Martin; & even he ain't got the balls of dearly departed Fred. Grew up watching his shows, & now found them all to watch again here. Thanks for the uploads & sharing.
Guy Martin is not even close to the metal of this man, sorry!
Amazing Skill !! Sitting atop a 30 foot ladder - balanced on one leg, swinging a 3 pound sledge drilling holes in the brick wall and installing your dogs, and saying " oh yeah it's a bit easy I have done this at least 7 times before." I am falling off my chair both in laughter and in respect for what you do every day!! Love your humor -"When the wind is trying to tear the ladder off the chimney - it's quite exciting!!"
Such an honest guy.
He never treats his viewers as if they ate stupid.
But he has an amazing way of explaining even the most minor details but they
actually end up contributing to an overall enhanced picture of what he is trying to explain.
Its very easy to get lost in it all 👌
Fred dibnah was an absolute legend!! Born 100 years to late!! Lovely industrial engineering and a proper worker! Loved watching all his programmes when I was younger
A technique resigned to history. Glad it’s been preserved on film for future generations to see.
I wonder how many other historical skills and methods have been and gone through time that we will never know about.
Met Fred back in September '83 when he felled a chimney at the BICC, Prescot, Lancs. I followed his programmes avidly and have always been in awe of his manner and skill, what a bloke. As has been said and I make no apology for repeating, " They don't make them like that anymore, what a legend, RIP Fred"...
this man is a legend and a lot of guts to climb up really high chimneys every day we all miss you fred God bless you we never for get you
"The higher up you get the holes have a tendancey get a bit deeper...I think its called fear!" :) Classic
I found this with women.
Fred was a Brilliant man. This is wonderful to watch.
I'm a scaffolder and I have been working since I was 14 years old. My 1st company was really old-fashioned and safety certificates and trainings were not yet a standard back then and I always admired how inventive and creative these old guys were.
I learned a lot of tricks and problem solving skills there.
The hard way too, they wouldn't sugar coat criticism but seeing Fred I miss those days.
Hard critique and honesty keeps you alive, more important than feelings
"That's when a beer belly comes in handy" hahah what a fucking legend this man
On real
The skills, the tacit knowledge that this man possessed will be lost in time like dust falling through our fingers.. what a man.
Excatly. His life was more valuable than any doctor or dentist but I doubt he was paid as well. What an amazing set of skills to watch.
Thank you 11yr old younger sameoldmatt for preserving this! And thank you current day sameoldmatt for recognising the ongoing importance of this most excellent of great men!
👍🏻 ha it’s the only thing I’ve ever uploaded 😂 I had to split in 2 parts as TH-cam had a 10 minute limit, old school. I don’t own the copyright it’s ripped from one of his dvd’s. There’s so many copies of it now it will never be unseen / taken down, which is important. RIP Fred
have seen these videos 10 times already. And every time they popup as suggestions, i click again. He was such a great guy, and great techniques.
I am thrilled this has been recorded, wondered how he fixed those ladders up
Absolute legend was Fred - balls of steel! Fred we all applaud you - as you look down from the top of that great ladder in the sky!
Definitely a brave soul . As a mason for 43 years , I've scaffolded chimneys on 3 story houses by myself without a helper. When you work by yourself you learn ways to make it easy on your body. And you make deliberate motions and are very safety conscious. You do what you have to do.
Daniel Dore doing what my grandpa did is a dying breed he would scale 300 foot stacks and walk around the top like he was going to dah beach. A real bloke here no little boy
Yh but try 20-25 stories and also Fred doesn't work alone
Unbelievable!! He has to put all those ladders up! Then swing about on a wooden swing with ropes whilst erecting staging and platforms hundreds of feet up! Chisel the chimney down and then somehow take it all down again!!! There is no amount of money I would do that for. That is super human abilty!! No other explaination.
Lewis Floyd Henry he was a legend.he never really got the credit he deserved.England's finest!
Its ppl like fred who should get good wages not prima donna over paid footballers and so called celebs...
That's right Lewis, It's quite simply staggering.
Lewis Floyd Henry It's fucking retarded desperate is the world!
yes unbelievable!! he explained the wind can blow and twist the ladders'.... oh shit he said it makes it exciting.... shitting myself watching and reminds me of bungee jumping off a crane
this guy is amazing! how he can just move around like nothing when he is so high up is beyond my understanding! wow
My favorite part is he's drilling into his own holes, cause he's the one who's been here before..
This is honestly amazing, what a trade; what a guy.
are you my wife?
Which means he carried heavy ass mortar up and down that thing!
Fred Dibnah, what an absolute legend. They don’t make them like him anymore. RIP.
Brilliant, love old Fred Dibnah, watched a many a program with Fred, like this one when he was still relatively young, all the way to Fred Dibnahs' Age of Steam and Steel, proper down to earth working class man of the people, kids loved seeing him doing his work, that's how we kids were back in the 70s-80s, i Always remember watching workmen doing what ever work they were doing, always a bunch of us kids watching them lift something high up using cranes and pulleys, and I'm still as interested today as I ever was.
Amazing how he did this without any safety harness and survived to live to 66 years save for cancer. Just goes to show health and safety is common sense if its done correctly. Rest easy fred.
Tbf. The people for whom common sense wasn't enough, aren't here to tell you so ;)
Skews the perception a bit eh.
Fred himself used to say a chimney would take his live eventually. If I play Russian roulette there is obviously a chance I survive but if I do that does mean it safe . I think Fred was a bit lucky to get through his profession unscathed -pleased he did obviously. Part of the appeal of these programmes at the time might have been that Fred took some risks even by the standards of 1970s health and safety culture. My dad worked on building sites in 1960s/1970s and even he sometimes thinks bloody hell when we watch these together today.
@@MrBobsmith34 There was a guy from Norway doing videos of swimming during their winter, diving through ice and so on and people were always amazed he even survived the cold. He beat cancer too. Last video he did was his annual one of celebrating his birthday. He drowned while filming a video. Fell in through ice. Weird how luck or chance seemingly plays an instrumental part. His channel is called Apetor btw
@@MrBobsmith34 nah Nothing to do with a luck ,Fred was just on a different level , we have these high climbers doing these silly climbs today some of them even higher the same with zero harnesses .
@@bored.in.california2111 the word your looking for is fate not luck.
Thank you ever so much sharing Fred with the rest of the World.
God bless and may he rest in peace... Santa Barbara, California
Fans of "Fred"!
Watched it in full in silence barely blinked , my dad loved him god bless them both 🙏🏻
He's a fearless man for doing that. I did many parachute jumps in the army and am not scared of heights, but no way would I be doing that without some form of safety harness..
R.I.P. Fred.
What an absolute legend this great man was. Rip fred.
Room for his feet? How about his bollocks? He's got the biggest pair anywhere. The Flying Wallendas don't have shit on Fred. Wood Ladders, Christ.
Fabulous video. I have just done a video with drone footage of Ena Mill, paying homage to the true grit of Fred Dibnah. We will never see his like again. What an awesome character. It was amazing to stand where Fred had stood and look 👀 up at the awe inspiring height of the chimney brickwork. Cheers Dean
I watched so many of Fred's videos over the years. He had absolutely no fear and a unique profession. I miss his presence! R.I.P. Fred.
I literally felt vertigo watching Fred do this. Don't know how he did, but bless his heart. Don't know how he straddled the top of the ladder with balls that big!
Fred Dibnah is the definition of the Word Legend. What a man!!!!! The Man had Balls of Pure Chimney.
Thanks for posting this video - in all Fred's TV shows I never saw him explain how this was done but I was always curious!
Fred was amazing. So pleased to grow up watching this skilled man do his work. Proper workman.
I come back to these fred videos a lot. Perfect on a rainy day with a spliff and a coffee
When ya 3/4 Of the way up n the wind is blowing the ladder sideways..its quite exciting. Omg what a legend..RIP great man.
Proper old school telly. Seeing a craftsman doing his thing like he was taking the dog for a walk. John Noakes did something similar in Blue Peter. Had to scale Nelson's Column in order to clean it. He just got on with it. Two legends.
Very interesting to note how his way of speaking has changed so dramatically between this filming and the famous "Fred Dibnah: Steeplejack" documentary from 30 years ago. He's so much calmer and clearer in speech and phrasing. Genuine quality, that man.
There’s nothing as beautiful as time tested methods, born out of trial and error, generations of fathers and sons.
I love watching Fred.....calming and informative. Not the kind of guy you are going to see on Strictly on a Saturday eve
I’m from Manchester and I heard a good tale about Fred. He was employed by a northern council to do some work on top of a 200 ft chimney. He comes down and says to the suit with a clipboard, “it’s done, ‘ere’s me bill.” The suit asks “how do I know it’s done?” Fred replies “get yersen up ladder an’ ‘ave a look!”😀😀
lol
I love his sense of humor. Never in a million years would I have learned about this if it weren't for this video. I just assumed you would use a bucket truck or a scaffolding to do whatever he is going to do.
On one of of the constructiob he built high in the air he said "you could ride a bicycle around here"
Fred is working faster and doing things 1000 x times better than a 20 yr old at his age. Amazing! Unbelievable!
This was a random video in my feed, and is now my favorite YT video. Fred is awesome!
Lovely bloke, very clever, skilled in the proper old trades and unbelievably brave. They should show his video presentations in schools
I recorded all of the "Dibnah Stuff", while living just outside of Dublin (had to do the PAL to NTSC conversion), and shipped the tapes back to the states - for my family to enjoy. (along with a case of "Barry's Tea", "Soda Bread", and "Irish Bacon") Although I never had the chance to witness it, I am told that my grandmother, the quintessential Irish Catholic, and physician, "would pray the rosary at warp speed, when Fred began climbing". An Irish woman, born at the turn of the century, praying for a Brit; who'd have thunk it??
@takesone2knowone as intended...
@takesone2knowone thats what you thunk
@@AMStationEngineer your granny wanted a bit of Fred. I wish my granny married him
3:07 This bit cracked me up... I’ve been a touring lighting director for a band for 23 years so I’ve been up quite a few ladders so I can attest that the higher you go, the more terrifying it gets (especially on older A-frame stage ladders with vertical extensions... so much wobbling !!). I also used to work at a planetarium (the reason I stumbled into the lighting field in the first place) where there was a curved ladder that swiveled around the top of the inner dome all the way around giving you full access to everything attached to the inner dome... thing is, that inner dome is just perforated sheet metal painted white and when you’re near the top you’re a good 40-50’ above the star projector which would *_not_* be pleasant to land on what with all the tiny sharp glass filters and other pokey bits all over it. Thankfully these days I’ve a crew that does most of the truss work for me (ok, all of it, but I still go up there from time to time) so I can stay safely on the ground and just program and run the shows. Mad respect for this guy as this is *_seriously_* scary work !!!
Get off the ground you boomer and quit making others risk their lives for a pittance of Federal Reserve notes that are becoming more worthless by the second.
And then you have the balls to lecture my generation on being entitled
Time well spent watching this, reminds me of working on tall ships. Despite being terrified of heights I eventually managed to make the top of the main mast but was far from comfortable. I don’t think you would find many people willing to do this these days.
Science James what ship were you on
One Sunday morning, Earlyish, I heard a commotion, a rattling rumbling....and a Traction Engine and wagon came thundering by {Past Temple Meads Station and towards Old Market, Bristol.
I turned to gawk, and it was Fred, Rag in hand driving it. It must have been towards the end of his life... a great sound and sight. 👍
What an amazing man. His skill and methods were truly awesome. I Rig up some pretty daring staging in my work and use Ladders quite a bit. Nothing compares to this. RIP Fred.
i use to speak to this guy a lot when he came to our factory for paint, the stories lol... 1997 that was.. Proper Bloke..
Me and my cousin were obsessed with Fred when we were kids. When he was on the telly in the 80's, they didn't have the foresight to pixelate his phone number on the side of his van. So my cousin made a note of it. When we were bored one summer holiday and our parents were out at work, we phoned him. But unfortunately he wasn't at home, so we never got to speak to the great man.
What is fascinating is this is the old traditional method, Fred must have been the last to use these techniques that were developed in the Victorian era! Now they would use a power drill and drop in an anchor bolt, the modern way is safer but it is amazing to see how it was done!
Actually you'd pre-cast anchor points in the structure itself, all youd need is an impact wrench to secure a ladder
This sort of rare skill and experience is priceless. He should have made more money than any dentist or doctor as his skills are a lost art that I doubt hardly anyone is wiling to learn.
Me: even thinking of heights give me vertigo and anxiety...
TH-cam recommendations:... Have you met Fred Dibnah?
Fred smiled and waved at us as he drove his traction engine past us at a Fair.
Fred made sure we didn’t forget our history
His daughter still has his old Land Rover she live 2 miles from me in hoddlesden i live in darwen 7 miles from Fred’s hometown Bolton
The video of him climbing India mill chimney in darwen is awesome
Lancashire’s finest. Legend.
I remember my Mum was so excited to get to meet him at a steam rally near Northamptonshire.. he was humble as ever . Last of the real men sadly
I really can not speak enough superlatives about this brilliant,steeplejack and engineer. Im just in awe and have my stomach in my mouth admiring his big top style high wire antics. A true one off charicter that we'll never see the likes of again. DID YOU LIKE THAT💯👍
Once or twice a year I come and watch videos of Fred climbing or playing with his traction engine. I still cannot believe the man did the things he did. It’s just incredible man lived to retirement! And to those who have swung a sledge hammer from the top of a ladder know how precarious it really is. Now imagine doing it and you hang your ladders!
Fred Dibnah was amongst the finest humans who ever walked the Earth. What a splendid man.
This gentleman is just fantastic; absolutely wonderful.
RIP Fred D.
He would have been my idea of a dream grandad.....could sit all day and listen to him talk.
Fred. A man with a life lived to the full and with a very special skillset.
The part when he's lashed a ladder and straddles over the top to pass up the next always baffles me, it's just his legs holding him on and to have the courage and trust in your fixings below was just an incredible process to watch. And the other very clever thing is he's using the lightning conductor rod already connected to the chimney as a datum to keep the ladders in line and plumb.
Takes me back a bit, doing that back in 1978. Preferred concrete chimneys like at Tilbury power station that had big screw holes to put eyed bolts in instead of making holes for plugs and dogs. More nostalgic about the brick ones though.
This man deserves the MBE, OBE, etc etc, for his services to the backbone of this once fine country, Sir Fred, vote now
Used to beat his wife up....
@@ismailmiah1446 source?
@@jimbobur why do you think they left him.....he wasn't a good husband or father. ...more like great grafter
@@ismailmiah1446 do you have a source to back up that he used to beat his wife? I'd be interested to learn more.
@@jimbobur no I don't actually keep sources of these things as it's irrelevant in my life.....but I'm sure if you wanted you could source it via his wives friends family etc
If there was a Zen master of steeplejacks then Fred would be the man !
I’ve only first seen this of Fred laddering a chimney a year or two ago and now I’ve probably watched this 20 times and here I am again. It’s damn fascinating.
An introduction to the man.
As it’s been said many times men like Fred built this country what an absolute legend
Old school hard grafting no nonsense Northern Lad. RIP Fred
This generation have almost all passed away now😞 I miss the old timers.
What did you hear?
Fred Dibnah was an household name when I was a teenager. I was fascinated by this man and the courage that he often showed during the many hours of filming being recorded. He was an amazing broadcaster whom found it very easy to keep your attention focused on any subject he would discuss. The amazing talent and charisma oozed from him, which fascinated many people, also the skills he had, especially drawing which often amazed me. One thing some people may not know and that is? He was one hell of a tight ass, he never once dipped his hand into his own wallet to pay for a round of drinks. I guess he believed that the time he spent talking to folks in a pub was not a freebie where he was concerned. One tight old git...lol... I guess you cannot get blood from a stone... God bless you Fred. Sadly missed.
who*
I admire a professional man with strong arms and legs. Climbing a ladder vertically requires a lot of strength
watching all the other videos of him scaling these chimnes, only to find out he was the one putting up the ladders each time too!! insanity