Fred Dibnah

[Phil Pascoe]

If anyone's interested in steam engines or clock making, "Made in Britain" 3.45pm this afternoon, is worth watching on I player. Brilliant! =D>

 

[bugbear]

The history is excellent; I could do without Fred's sub-Churchillian politics though.

BugBear

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

I met him at Heathrow a few years ago (before he died obviously). he was on his way to South Africa on a commission. He had designed, built and was on his way to install a complex weather vane for a wealthy land owners clock tower.

He had no idea where to queue and was basically lost...I had to hold his hand right through security etc till he was in the lounge. We chatted for a couple of hours and he is EXACTLY as you see on screen. Fred was Fred was Fred...including the scraps with his wife One of the most naturally entertaining blokes I've ever met.

 

[mind_the_goat]

They don't make 'em like that anymore

 

[John51]

I like this inset from the Wiki:



He clapped that chimney on the roof when he was sixteen, I've had to live with it ever since. It's awful. I came home one day from work and there it was, sticking up in the sky. The photographer came from the Evening News. People drove here on Sunday afternoons to stare at it. Everyone said our Fred was a lunatic.
Betsy Dibnah[10]

 

[Jamesc]

Truly one of a kind, we would be better off with more like him. Sure you may not agree with some/all he said but at least it was what he thought, not what some PR, politically correct machine decided he should say.
The world and our TV are poorer without him.

 

[barkwindjammer]

Had the privelage to meet the man in person at Ballantynes Iron foundry in Bo'ness-Scotland during his UK tour with the traction engine and caravan (a staggering feat for something that trundled along-and I mean the engine-not him ), felt transported to another era while in his presence-a remarkable little man with a huge 'aura' about him-a legend in his own time.

 

[No skills]

Bit of a Fred fan myself, enjoyed the book and his many programs over the years. Always wanted to get a look at the kitchen he did in his extension, the brief clip of it on tv made it look lovely.

 

[jimi43]

I saw and met him at the Orchard Theatre in Dartford and if I recall he talked continuously for over 3 hours standing up...and the audience were enthralled.

I was a truly moving experience.

He died soon after.

It's a pity his views aren't shared by more these days...a great conservationist and really cared about this country and its people and heritage.

RIP Fred.

Jimi

 

[user 4112]

Agreed, what a man.

I am looking at his biography as I type this; in 30 minutes I am off to the post office. The first person to PM me their address can have it for free but I ask 2 things - put a couple of quid or so in the Poppy box in November and pass it on when you've finished with it.

If I don't get it into the post today it'll be sometime next week.

Sorry, should have said, UK only please.