white fox Posted November 6, 2004 Report Share Posted November 6, 2004 Steeplejack and television presenter Fred Dibnah has died aged 66. I met him a couple of times, great character - sadly missed - RIP Fred Text from another site: Dibnah had been battling cancer for a number of years and was surrounded by his family when he died at Bolton Hospice, Greater Manchester. Dibnah, who was a colourful and eccentric television personality, received the MBE from the Queen at Buckingham Palace in July. He left off his trademark flat cap for the ceremony, donning a suit with a cream tie and waistcoat. He said about the cap shortly after collecting his award: "It's actually in my bag across the road in the barracks. It's really part of me. It's like a wig. I'm sure they would have asked me politely to remove it." Dibnah received his award for services to heritage and broadcasting and took his green, black and gold eight tonne traction engine along with him to the Palace, parking it at a nearby barracks. "We're going to have a ride round outside the Palace," he said. "As soon as I've got rid of this penguin suit, I will be in my engine driver's attire." He was accompanied by his third wife Sheila and sons Jack and Roger. The father-of-six started work as a joiner but after completing his National Service fulfilled his dream to become a steeplejack, servicing the hundreds of chimneys that once crowded the skies of Bolton. In 1978 he was featured on a local news bulletin and then became the subject of a one-hour film called Fred Dibnah - Steeplejack. Dibnah was most famous for demolishing chimneys, shunning dynamite for the more traditional method of replacing masonry with pieces of wood and then burning the wood. He was the subject of several documentaries during the 1990s and later presented programmes including Fred Dibnah's Industrial Age, Age of Steam and the Building of Britain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernyha Posted November 6, 2004 Report Share Posted November 6, 2004 A great character Fred, I use to love his programmes and his dry Northern wit. Sadly missed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimdfish Posted November 6, 2004 Report Share Posted November 6, 2004 He blew up the chimneys where my sister now lives ( the co-op on bakery bridge), We were given the afternoon off school to watch. Two hero's in as many weeks. Tara Fred, I for one am going to miss you. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrie0 Posted November 6, 2004 Report Share Posted November 6, 2004 Bloody shame that . I have watched him on tv for a long time as he was fairly local to me when I lived in Atherton . His lack of fear for heights used to fascinate me , and as Ern says a great character , who can forget "did yer like that !" I shall raise a glass tonight for him :thumbs: Cracking little website with loads of pics of Fred and his work etc http://www.wiganworld.co.uk/fred/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red_stag88 Posted November 6, 2004 Report Share Posted November 6, 2004 Fred Dibnah once came to the weekly traction engine rally at home. RIP Fred :thumbs: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mr Pieman Posted November 6, 2004 Report Share Posted November 6, 2004 Great shame - Fred was a great character and made Steeplejacking look like an art form. RIP Fred :thumbs: PP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil Posted November 6, 2004 Report Share Posted November 6, 2004 I've just seen it on the news, very sad :thumbs: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vermin Dropper Posted November 6, 2004 Report Share Posted November 6, 2004 I just found out by reading this! It's gutted Me, I recall many a school night, talking my mom into letting me watch his program before bedtime. He will be sadly missed and always remembered, :thumbs: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wabbitbosher Posted November 7, 2004 Report Share Posted November 7, 2004 OMG I just read this GUTTED The man was a true STAR A great loss to the worlds of Steam, Motorcycles, Fishing , Explosives , TV, Northerners, Engineering , WELL every "BLOODY" Thing !! A Great Man!! RIP Fred WB :thumbs: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rifleman56 Posted November 7, 2004 Report Share Posted November 7, 2004 poor old fred i use to watch him with my dad he was great to watch nice man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazza Posted November 7, 2004 Report Share Posted November 7, 2004 he was a legend :thumbs: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B_GINNER Posted November 7, 2004 Report Share Posted November 7, 2004 A great loss to the worlds of Steam, Motorcycles, Fishing , Explosives , TV, Northerners, Engineering , WELL every "BLOODY" Thing ! Gutted, just found out by reading it here. Yes, that man was a bloody good all-round type of geezer. Watched just about all of his tv stuff. Very sad loss indeed. His cap should be immortalised in stone somewhere :thumbs: RIP Fred you will be sadly missed by many. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aled_cky Posted November 7, 2004 Report Share Posted November 7, 2004 very saddening to see another Great person pass away. Aled Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jordan Posted November 7, 2004 Report Share Posted November 7, 2004 :thumbs: he was a good laugh i can never forget when he was digging a mine in hi sgarden and used the bow and arrow to get the depth to the water very funny character who will be greatly missed by all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Posted November 8, 2004 Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 fred was a very entertaining man, one of the best of the old school I often wondered if he had ever heard of the health and saftey rules he certainly did'nt work to them he will be sadly missed. jay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted November 9, 2004 Report Share Posted November 9, 2004 When I met my wife ( who is from Bolton) 20 years ago Fred was already a living legend in Bolton... more famous than Nat Lofthouse.. Well almost. What a fascinating Character and an extremely talented Engineer.. I dont think there was anything he couldnt turn his hand to.. A life well lived. FM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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