Our Tribute to Fred Dibnah.

[wonwinglo]

I am sure that the late dear Fred Dibnah M.B.E would have made a great model builder if his love for rebuilding steam engines had not come his way and filled his life,having said this there were occasions where he demonstrated principles of engineering with small scale models,his training as a woodworker & his art school work stood him in good stead for his future,his art was the joy of creating live steam,if only he had been born a decade earlier he would have certainly been at home with everything around him,but perhaps we really need people like himself to carry on the traditions and practises that were one day the very cutting edge of technology ? I t is hard to find someone like Fred with such multi task skills and the ability to explain to laymen in such a succint manner,he made history such fun as he went from strength to strength with his various television programmes,despite his climb to fame somehow he never lost that spark of enthusiasm or spoke above anyone,he had time for people.

Some of his sayings will certainly become household names,the down to earth approach would cull sayings like 'back street mechanic-ing' something that he was very good at ! Fred had that uncanny ability to say things as they were,he did not like the decline of an empire or take kindly to change,he was a true very English gentleman full of pride for our past exploits especially in engineering,he must have been doing something right because he gave so much pleasure to many who could relate to him,he left a legacy to treasure for many people,I doubt whether there will ever be another Fred Dibnah ?. R.I.P Fred.

Fred Dibnah 1938-2004

[Guest]

well said barry raying:

[Guest]

top bloke barry fred was the best :thumbs-up

[Guest]

i`ve been following his current ,and obviously last,series with his adventures taking his pride and joy steam roller ( i think thats what it`s called !) around the country. that itself has proven to be a feat of passion !. visiting small companies and business`s with only a handfull of real craftsmen or enthusiasts producing items that are truly handmade and in some ways showing the end of dying trades that have existed for many many years, even hundreds of years !. nowadays cnc cut,laser cut , etched or moulded rather than traditional carving , shaping or foundry work.

a man as you`ve said before barry , was born in the wrong era. his eccentric passion has been magnificent to watch over the years.

a small website has can be seen HERE for fred dibnah

[wonwinglo]

i`ve been following his current ,and obviously last,series with his adventures taking his pride and joy steam roller ( i think thats what it`s called !) around the country. that itself has proven to be a feat of passion !. visiting small companies and business`s with only a handfull of real craftsmen or enthusiasts producing items that are truly handmade and in some ways showing the end of dying trades that have existed for many many years, even hundreds of years !. nowadays cnc cut,laser cut , etched or moulded rather than traditional carving , shaping or foundry work.a man as you`ve said before barry , was born in the wrong era. his eccentric passion has been magnificent to watch over the years.

a small website has can be seen HERE for fred dibnah

*** Just brilliant Adz,I never realised that there were so many unique companies in back street premises still producing rivets,bolts and many other items for boilers and traction engines ! Fred certainly searched them out and notice how everyone welcomed him with open arms,it also brought home his 'hands on' ability with virtually everything that he touched,his deft touch in spinning up that piece of copper the other week was an example,combined with his many,many skills as an engineer he had the ability to entertain us with his unique humour and language,lets hope that his sons will carry on his traditions and maintain those lovely things that he was so set on preserving,better still a museum dedicated to Freds work would be wonderful,I just wish that I had met him in person as many people had done and said how ordinary and talented a person he was.