Fred had a working replica coal mine in his back garden. Here is the full programme on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcH4nY43msk
Fred Dibnah – Steeplejack (1979) [video]
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Re: Fred Dibnah – Steeplejack (1979) [video]
#22I'm sure I shouldn't be spending my Monday morning watching this, but his enthusiasm is infectious. Also, the last thing I'd expect to see on HN, not that I mind.
indeed, and I'm (just about) old enough to remember this from the first time around. what on earth do people from America make of this? Mind you, they must have had chimneys over there to knock down too, so 'appen they had their own Fred to do it
Re: Fred Dibnah – Steeplejack (1979) [video]
#23If anyone is wondering how he got the ladders up the side of the chimney in the first place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e0C57orM1s&t=10m25s I rediscovered Fred on YouTube a couple of years ago, and spent far too much time watching pretty much everything I could find. As the title suggests, watching the overhang climb in this is enough to make you feel dizzy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R3-YwDZrzg
I'm a little surprised that there weren't permanent ladders, or at least the gear to attach ladders, as a feature of the chimney. The cost of a dozen ladders and some bolts would be a few hundred pounds (in modern terms) compared to the thousands you'd pay a person to 'ladder up' a chimney before it could be worked on.
Re: Fred Dibnah – Steeplejack (1979) [video]
#24I was an avid fan of Fred when he was regularly on UK TV. A quality unlikely to be appreciated outside the UK, but his "Yorkshireness" is superb.
but his "Yorkshireness" is superb. He was Lancastrian. It's minor detail but as a Yorkshireman I felt compelled to correct you.
Bloody hell, you're right! Existential crisis ensues
Re: Fred Dibnah – Steeplejack (1979) [video]
#25Absolutely loved watching Fred growing up. Interesting seeing it on HN, but I'm just glad it means a few more people can appreciate this amazing man.
Yeah, I posted it in response to the robotic bricklayer. Semi-tangential.
Re: Fred Dibnah – Steeplejack (1979) [video]
#26It's the infectious enthusiasm that draws me in. He was an awesome man.
I see some of the same qualities in Guy Martin's presenting style.
Re: Fred Dibnah – Steeplejack (1979) [video]
#27One of the last projects he embarked on before dying was to try and build a replica coal mine (with the help of a handful of friends) in his back garden. I believe there's a single episode made before the local council put the kibosh on things :(
Edit: Full hour long episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcH4nY43msk
Re: Fred Dibnah – Steeplejack (1979) [video]
#28Fred was great. I used to love watching his programs when we moved 'down south' in my early teens.
From the overhang video: "Up here, if you make one mistake, it's half a day out with the undertaker"
Brilliant!
Re: Fred Dibnah – Steeplejack (1979) [video]
#29If anyone is wondering how he got the ladders up the side of the chimney in the first place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e0C57orM1s&t=10m25s I rediscovered Fred on YouTube a couple of years ago, and spent far too much time watching pretty much everything I could find. As the title suggests, watching the overhang climb in this is enough to make you feel dizzy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R3-YwDZrzg
I'm a little surprised that there weren't permanent ladders, or at least the gear to attach ladders, as a feature of the chimney. The cost of a dozen ladders and some bolts would be a few hundred pounds (in modern terms) compared to the thousands you'd pay a person to 'ladder up' a chimney before it could be worked on.
I wonder if they'd degrade to the point where they were no longer trustworthy? If we're talking about decades and decades which it seems like we are then at some point you'd maybe end up having to repair/maintain the ladder/access bolts as well as the tower itself.
Re: Fred Dibnah – Steeplejack (1979) [video]
#30It's the infectious enthusiasm that draws me in. He was an awesome man. I see some of the same qualities in Guy Martin's presenting style.
Yes! I'm glad someone else notices the similarities. Both suck-it-and-see northerners (though I think Martin comes from Grimsby, not Lancs.)