Fred Dibnah heritage center ,Bolton,Gtr Manchester,England
- by Adi Little
- 2017-06-25
- 14 media
- 14 available
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Frederick "Fred" Dibnah MBE (28 April 1938 – 6 November 2004), born in Bolton,England.
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He was an English steeplejack and famous UK television personality.
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Once demobilized, he returned to steeple jacking.
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In 1978, while repairing Bolton Town Hall, Dibnah was filmed by regional BBC news
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which followed the rough-hewn steeplejack as he worked on chimneys.
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His Lancastrian manner and gentle, self-taught philosophical outlook, proved popular.
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Fred increasingly came to rely on after-dinner speaking for his income.
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He began his working life as a joiner, before becoming a steeplejack.
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From age 22, he served for two years in the armed forces, as part of his national service.
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In 1998, he presented a programme on Britain's industrial history and went on more series.
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And his passion for all things steam driven.
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Toward the end of his life, the decline of Britain's steeplejack industry.
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He died from cancer in November 2004, aged 66.
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The BBC then commissioned an award-winning documentary about his work.