With Fred Dibnah, what you see is definitely what you get. Some say, and not without a little humour, that you’ll never catch him with clean hands. That does sum up this proud son of Bolton who would never ask anyone to do anything he wouldn’t tackle himself. The great beauty of Fred’s love of engineering, and in particular all matters steam, is that he’s never content with simply knowing how it works, for he needs to be sure you understand the ‘nuts and bolts’ as well. This wonderful gift is embodied in that God-given skill which all great teachers possess.

He reads the understanding, or lack of it, in the recipient’s eyes, and thereafter tailors his discourse to a level of complication his senses tell him the listener is able to comprehend. He has so refined this knack that he can even communicate in this manner through a TV camera, as those devotees of his many programmes will be happy to confirm.

This is the newly-constructed smokebox for the convertible on which Fred has been working for the past 27 years.

Listening to Fred, you get the feeling that your understanding of the subject is what really matters to him and all his descriptive powers are focused on achieving that end. It’s a sharing thing. He knows how, and that knowing has given him satisfaction. He wants you to share that understanding, and therefore he is offering you pleasure.
The word ‘raconteur’ can be used confidently to describe the eloquent Mr Dibnah. Storytellers are our greatest link with the past, and it is through them that so much of our history has been passed down. Scoff not at the art of slight exaggeration or verbal embellishment, but consider whether, without their employment, you would have taken in the details of that all-important but perhaps otherwise boring story?
A piece of chalk, a pencil, a piece of stick against the soft earth have all been the tools of the natural orator over the years. Add to those an adjustable spanner and a home-made hydraulic riveter and you have Fred Dibnah.

Perfection in the shape of the restored steering gear for the Aveling & Porter.

What, we asked, started him on this strange but wonderful life of danger and discovery? How could a joiner from post-war Lancashire become a media icon, especially since the advent of global satellite TV, yet still be greeted “Na then, Fred!” by so many on a daily basis?

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Tributes to Fred

I am sure that I speak for hundreds of enthusiasts through out the world who will be upset
at the death of Fred Dibnah he was a great person who will be missed I am sure that your magazine will be sending some tribute and message to his family. Keep up the marvelous work you all do at O.G.
Although I do not own a steam engine. I thoughouly enjoy attending steam rallies in the north of england a lot of which I have read about in your exerlent monthly guide to steam events.

Yours Respectfully,
Peter Harris,
Durham

The preservation world has lost one of its great characters in Fred Dibnah. The last 20 years or so his documentary programmes have helped educate young people of our rich industrial past, which is so different to today’s disposable age.
The new 12 part series which highlights other people keeping our past alive, will be a fitting tribute to him, and will easily outlive much of the other dumbed down rubbish on our screens at the moment.
Having met him numerous times over the last 20 years, his signing of his many books, are also a credit to his calligraphy skills, and are works of art in themselves.
Such occasions as at Eastnor Castle, near Ledbury, alongside the house owner’s engine ‘Atlas’, were typical venues to find Fred and his entourage of followers. Farewell Fred, we need more straight forward talking people like you in today’s political correct society.

Richard Green,
Wells, Somerset

The steam world has lost another great man of steam ,
myself and many others whether frequent visitors to rallies or avid watchers
of the television will miss him .

Mr R.Cobbett

As a 58 yr old manager who thought he knew everything about engineering, I have watched every programme on Fred, and have learned something - not just about chimneys and steam, but about life. Fred was a sheer genius who could only rank with the great engineers of yesteryear. It was Fred who inspired me to take an interest in steam rallies, which is now my main hobby. His love of preserving the past must have inspired thousands of others to do the same.
His devotion to restoring the Aveling & Porter took 27 years of painstaking hard work, but I am so pleased he lived to see the rewards of it.
He will never be forgotten.

Stan Wears,
Harlepool, Cleveland

The Bolton Bosta
It is with great sadness to hear Fred Dibnah had died
His enthusiasm and knowledge, to all, he supplied
The trademark flatcap, the old watch and chain
Now he's at peace released from his pain
He'd explain the workings of a pump or a mill
I could listen for ever, never have my fill
But now he's been sent for, to set out his new stage
And keep an eye on the rebirth of our industrial age.

Pete Hardle,
Brewood.

Mrs Sheila Sneath, her husband and daughter, would like to send their deepest sympathy to Fred’s family. The world of steam has lost a great man.

Mrs Sheila Sneath

Fred left us with a rich memory of his world of steam. His charm and witty outlook on the steam life our forefathers had. Fred gave us an insight into the working and construction methods used with superb demonstrations in his hallowed garden workshop. His steeplejack exploits were awesome, as were his numerous stories of steam engines.
Perhaps in the not too distant future Bolton's son will be remembered by a statue to his memory.
Fred was a Victorian character who created a cult in todays supposed computer-orientated world. His smile, charm and wit will always be remembered.

W. Mason, M Garvin, P Wallace, J Mason, G WQright
Just a small fracrtion of Fred's Scottish followers.

Of all the people who could be taken from us by this terrible disease it
had to be Fred
I have been watching Freds programmes from the very beginnings taping them
and re-watching over and over
I never tired of them, he had a natural gift that left you feeling better
and warmer inside.
I was very lucky in meeting Fred a couple of times, The last time was in
Royton in May when he felled the Park Mill chimney.
I said to him 'thanks for all the brilliant programes you have made'
and he replied 'thankyou'
I will miss you very much Fred Dibnah.

Michael Higgins
Delph

I was sad to hear of the passing of such a great character as fred dibnah he talked to the people and not at them and made non engineers like me be able to understand things. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

Raymond Baale
Bude

 

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