Introducing Fred Dibnah

[DonP]

I thought maybe we might pause for a sense of perspective. This is Fred - no longer with us, sadly. He was the last free-laddering steeplejack, also a builder of steam engines and anything else that looked at all interesting. Anyway, this is a two-parter of him putting ladders up a factory chimney. We need more of him in the world.

 

[Gahr]

Great little film. He's got a lovely northern accent as well. "That's where the beer belly comes in 'andy". Fantastic!

 

[syscokid]

Dang... I could feel my blood pressure climb a bit for every ladder Fred was having added...

To Fred Dibnah…

 

[Gahr]

I ended up spending a bit of time watching this guy on YouTube. What an extraordinary fellow! A truly entertaining and fascinating man.

 

[DonP]

I ended up spending a bit of time watching this guy on YouTube. What an extraordinary fellow! A truly entertaining and fascinating man.

He really was. I think of him as the last Victorian engineer. He would have done well alongside Isambard Brunel.

 

[gasket]

Despite being 5th generation Australian I have an affinity with the UK, I even married a Manx girl. Some of my wife's relatives immigrated to Aust in the 80's and way back then they introduced me to quirky Fred, what a man he must have been!

 

[eSGEe]

Sadly the world has lost a great spirit.

 

[gasket]

Sadly the world has lost a great spirit.

No no, I'm still here ;-)

 

[eSGEe]

are you sure?

 

[gasket]

are you sure?

Yeah, just hovering over my normal sitting place ... Oh, Um ...

 

[eSGEe]

lol