Fred Dibnah - A Tribute (eBook)

You didn't just meet with Fred Dinah you were instinctively drawn close to him, his larger than life personality was truly infectious and his communication skills second to none. Fred had the uncanny and somewhat unique knack of talking through a TV camera so that the viewer actually felt a personal contact with him. The Bolton born steeplejack became nationally known and loved following a series of TV programs. Although an admirer of all things, Victorian he was what the modern media people call 'a natural', microphones and TV cameras did not faze him one bit. This publication takes the reader on a fascinating journey during the making of Fred's last TV series during 2004.

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Mid-Cheshire based heritage transportation specialist photographer and feature writer Keith Langston traveled extensively with Fred Dibnah during the filming of his last TV series, 'Made in Britain.’ Following Fred's untimely death, Keith embarked upon the creation of a book, drawing not only on his experiences with the Bolton born steeplejack and TV presenter, but in addition talking to a representative cross section of those persons who numbered themselves amongst Fred's many friends. Fred became a high profile media personality and the fame which accompanied that status never affected him, or in any way changed his down to earth demeanor. He will be remembered not only for his many practical achievements, but also for encouraging thousands of others to care about our industrial heritage. The steam bug infected Fred at a very early age possibly following his illicit visits to his father's place of work, a bleach factory. Encouraged by one of his ex teachers Fred started what he described as 'a steeplejack business'. When he turned to presenting his own programs his blunt, no nonsense style made a welcome change from the so called television professionals. His genius lay in being able to communicate with the audience in simple, direct, colloquial English.