Fred Dibnah and his head for heights...
Discussion
FD used to do lots of work for the Courtaulds companies for many decades.
From the early 1970s to 1990s, my Mum worked for Courtaulds as a main board directors PA and personnel officer and would call Fred sometimes to book him for work on chimneys and the mills throughout the company in all parts of the North and elsewhere.
His invoices would usually be like little notes saying he needed some money and wanted to buy whatever and could he have a couple of hundred quid off whatever Courtaulds owed him as soon as possible?...
My Mum told me years ago that they'd all but stopped bothering to account for Fred and his working relationship with them since his work wasn't that expensive to pay for anyway and they mostly appreciated him being a supplier and for being the great character he was.
Seeing how Fred is still on TV makes y' proud to be from Lancashire... shame most of the things he worked on aren't there anymore, just crappy s
tbox 'town houses for young professionals' and other rubbish like that.
From the early 1970s to 1990s, my Mum worked for Courtaulds as a main board directors PA and personnel officer and would call Fred sometimes to book him for work on chimneys and the mills throughout the company in all parts of the North and elsewhere.
His invoices would usually be like little notes saying he needed some money and wanted to buy whatever and could he have a couple of hundred quid off whatever Courtaulds owed him as soon as possible?...
My Mum told me years ago that they'd all but stopped bothering to account for Fred and his working relationship with them since his work wasn't that expensive to pay for anyway and they mostly appreciated him being a supplier and for being the great character he was.
Seeing how Fred is still on TV makes y' proud to be from Lancashire... shame most of the things he worked on aren't there anymore, just crappy s
tbox 'town houses for young professionals' and other rubbish like that.Thing with Fred was that he was a man of great depths, as well as heights. Watching his later programs on the architecture of Britain was an education in history as well as the buildings he showcased (and often climbed). In some episodes he showed how things were built, through the use of his highly skilled and artistic illustrations, and in some cases by building them himself.
His last series, with the tour of his traction engine, was filmed when he knew he was dying, he was in great pain throughout, but he still gave it his all and the trademark cheeky grin.
His last series, with the tour of his traction engine, was filmed when he knew he was dying, he was in great pain throughout, but he still gave it his all and the trademark cheeky grin.
His helper was stood at the bottom of a chimney one day while Fred was working aloft.
A passer by asked helper 'has he ever fallen off?'
Helper said 'only once'
passer by says 'blimey, what happened'
Helper says 'I caught him'
I burst into laughter when I read that, my wife thought I'd gone nuts.
I read a couple of Fred's books, the buildings one and one about his life, both great books to read.
A passer by asked helper 'has he ever fallen off?'
Helper said 'only once'
passer by says 'blimey, what happened'
Helper says 'I caught him'
I burst into laughter when I read that, my wife thought I'd gone nuts.
I read a couple of Fred's books, the buildings one and one about his life, both great books to read.
Bungleaio said:
But how did he get the ladders up in the 1st place?
Like this:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6W_7uIapoHc
The vehicle details for THP 36R are:
Date of Liability 01 11 2005
Date of First Registration 01 04 1977
Year of Manufacture 1977
Cylinder Capacity (cc) 2286CC
CO2 Emissions Not Available
Fuel Type Petrol
Export Marker Not Applicable
Vehicle Status Unlicensed
Vehicle Colour MAROON
Vehicle Type Approval null
The information contained on this page is correct at the time of enquiry.
Vehicle Excise Duty Rate for vehicle
6 Months Rate £104.50
12 Months Rate £190.00
google provides a story of the resto fred had done, however its not been taxed since his death (2004)
Edit - check it out
http://www.freddibnahheritagecentre.co.uk/
Date of Liability 01 11 2005
Date of First Registration 01 04 1977
Year of Manufacture 1977
Cylinder Capacity (cc) 2286CC
CO2 Emissions Not Available
Fuel Type Petrol
Export Marker Not Applicable
Vehicle Status Unlicensed
Vehicle Colour MAROON
Vehicle Type Approval null
The information contained on this page is correct at the time of enquiry.
Vehicle Excise Duty Rate for vehicle
6 Months Rate £104.50
12 Months Rate £190.00
google provides a story of the resto fred had done, however its not been taxed since his death (2004)
Edit - check it out
http://www.freddibnahheritagecentre.co.uk/
Edited by 160steve on Wednesday 9th September 21:22
taldo said:
Huntsman said:
GTIR said:
I am guessing that it will be restored at some point.
No no no, it should be left exactly as it is, preserved, not restored, that would destroy what it is.Edited by Huntsman on Wednesday 9th September 22:02
Anyways I just got an email from the people who are trying to restore his site and the Landy is "in a state" and they are trying to get it restored but are aware it's totally gone all over.
Interesting website and I may make the journey up there to have a look, and maybe lend a hand. (used to be a heavy plant mechanic)
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