Fred Dibnah's Made in Britian

[JAHetfield]

Just watching this on Yesterday now, what a fantastic character he is (was), seems like a real, honest, down to earth bloke with a genuine interest in some pretty amazing machinery.

Why can't we have more of this on TV instead of having to put up with idiots like Clarkson and Hammond?

[v8will]

Met him and his son years ago at a traction engine show, absolute gent.

Interest in this sort of engineering seems to be in decline as all the older hands disappear, a shame.

[Streps]

I met him on a primary school trip to an Aqueduct
He was on a break whilst filming his tv program at the time.
Made the effort to come over and had a long talk with everyone about steam engines.

I'll always remember that.. top chap.

Edited by Streps on Monday 5th December 20:55

[Simpo Two]

JAHetfield said:

Why can't we have more of this on TV instead of having to put up with idiots like Clarkson and Hammond?

Because he's like dead, man...

Closest I think is Guy Thingy and his narrowboat, and Mark Williams is good too.

[JAHetfield]

I like Mark Williams too. Haven't seen him on TV for a while though.

[Simpo Two]

JAHetfield said:

I like Mark Williams too. Haven't seen him on TV for a while though.

Turns up on Quest (Freeview 38) every so month or so. They tend to run several episodes back to back.

In the same vein there's also a Dutch or possibly Swedish guy with similar subjects, also good.

[JAHetfield]

Ah, I don't get Quest anymore. Just lost it one day and no matter how many times I retune it won't come back. Shame as it was a pretty decent channel.

[Melvin Udall]

Guy Martin... The new Fred Dibnah!

[Pwig]

Interesting fact is that Fred had an 350cc 1927 AJS, which he said was the same kind that was used in the TT Races at the time.

And now we have Guy:

[PeXy]

JAHetfield said:

Just watching this on Yesterday now, what a fantastic character he is (was), seems like a real, honest, down to earth bloke with a genuine interest in some pretty amazing machinery.

Why can't we have more of this on TV instead of having to put up with idiots like Clarkson and Hammond?

Not just an interest, he was pretty novel at inventing methods and techniques for his steeplejacking. Met him at the Dorset steam fair top man!

[Langweilig]

No airs and graces with Fred Dibnah. He could repair or demolish practically anything man-made. I loved his anecdotes about his youth. "When I were a lad, I went up t'chimney for thruppence a week. Mind you, I were payin' fourpence a week to come down t'chimney." Great bloke. Very clever and sadly missed.

[CHIEF]

His last chimney drop was in my home town so naturally a few of us went to see it, loads of people turned up and it was amazing seeing him at work.

Highlight of the day was when the chimney came down and someone shouted across to him 'did you like that' (his catchphrase) Fred replied 'fk off'

I nearly wet myself laughing.

Top top bloke and sadly missed.

[Simpo Two]

CHIEF said:

Highlight of the day was when the chimney came down and someone shouted across to him 'did you like that' (his catchphrase) Fred replied 'fk off'

Not quite what I'd have expected from a 'hero' figure, especially in front of a mixed crowd of well-wishers.

[CHIEF]

Simpo Two said:

Not quite what I'd have expected from a 'hero' figure, especially in front of a mixed crowd of well-wishers.

Well not what I expected to be honest and I couldn't gauge if his reply was said in jest or was an offhand remark but there you go.

[Attym3]

Simpo Two said:

JAHetfield said:

I like Mark Williams too. Haven't seen him on TV for a while though.

Turns up on Quest (Freeview 38) every so month or so. They tend to run several episodes back to back.

In the same vein there's also a Dutch or possibly Swedish guy with similar subjects, also good.

Ronald Top

[FourWheelDrift]

Attym3 said:

Ronald Top

Also known as Ronald Schtop "It isn't ready yet". After his Grolsch adverts.