Details

Hardcover: 192 pages
Publisher: BBC Books; New edition edition (29 Aug 1996)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0563387653
ISBN-13: 978-0563387657

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The author Alan McEwen is a renowned consultant boiler engineer, industrial historian and writer, and was one of Fred’s closest friends for almost 25 years. Alan attended a significant number of Fred’s chimney demolition jobs, and regularly assisted with the art of building the massive bonfires that Fred cleverly engineered for the destruction of the gigantic 200 feet tall cotton mill chimney stacks. He was therefore, at the heart of this amazing and ofttimes highly dangerous demolition work, which has enabled him to write passionately and correctly regarding his long time, famous friend, Fred Dibnah’s dramatic chimney drops.

FRED DIBNAH’S CHIMNEY DROPS is chock full of wonderfully exciting and evocative stories covering Fred’s chimney demolition projects all over the North West…………… and the pictures, the majority taken by the author himself are historically important documents that dramatically portray Fred Dibnah at the height of his long career as a Master Steeplejack and Chimney Demolition Expert.

FRED DIBNAH’S CHIMNEY DROPS is simply a must for industrial historians and not least for Fred Dibnah fans everywhere

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Details

Hardcover: 200 pages
Publisher: Sledgehammer Engineering Press (Oct 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0953272516
ISBN-13: 9780953272518
Product Dimensions: 24.9 x 19 x 2.8 cm

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Direct
You can purchase this excellent book directly from the author for just £27.00 including postage. Email Alan McEwen for more details or to place your order by telephone/post.

Rare Book, written based on the BBC film in which Fred first appeared.

Contents

• Early Days
• False Starts
• High Climbs
• Me Marriage
• Odd Jobs
• Chimney Pieces
• Trade Secrets
• Steam Engines
• The Rest of Fred.

Details

Hardcover: 96 pages
Publisher: Line One Pub (3 Dec 1983)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0907036171
ISBN-10: 9780907036173

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Mid-Cheshire based heritage transportation specialist photographer and feature writer Keith Langston travelled 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 demeanour. 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 programmes 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.

Details

Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: Wharncliffe Books/Pen & Sword Books Ltd (17 Sep 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1845631153
ISBN-10: 9781845631154

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In this book, fred Dibnah offers the reader the opportunity to explore over 500 of the country’s most famous and historic monuments, castles, cathedrals and engineering marvels. Divided into sections, including Railways and Canals, Houses and Palaces, or Military and Naval sites of interest, Fred brings history to life while explaining in his own inimitable, hands-on style, how the builders and craftsmen have managed to construct such incredible structures from as long ago as Stonehenge right up to the Millennium Dome. Packed with Fred’s enthusiasm for the feats of craftsmanship and engineering which lie at the heart of these buildings, each section contains background information on the places it features and highlights ‘Fred’s Choice’, the best sites to visit as chosen by Fred himself. Suitable for those planning family days out, this detailed gazetteer contains full descriptions of the sites, directions and maps showing how to reach them and information on opening times and facilities available.

Details

Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: BBC Books (10 Feb 2000)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0563551739
ISBN-13: 9780563551737

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Bringing to life landmark events from the eighteenth to the early twentieth century in his typically engaging and anecdotal style, Fred introduces the great inventors from the age of steam, describes the day-to-day operation of railways, mills, forges and factories, and paints a vivid picture of what life was like for the mill-hands, colliers and engineers who laboured in industrial Britain – the workshop of the world.

With a comprehensive gazetteer, which lists details of over 230 places of industrial interest – from steam railways and ships, to windmills and watermills – Foundries and Rolling Mills is a glorious portrait of Britain at the height of its industrial power, from one of our most revered figures.

Details

Hardcover: 192 pages
Publisher: BBC Books(June 22, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1846079799
ISBN-13: 978-1846079795

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The new book and free DVD “Fred Dibnah Memories of a Steeplejack”. This book goes on the shelves of W.H.Smith’s on Friday 5th October, and is predicted to be one of their best sellers this season. Here is your chance to get the bookazine a few days before the official release direct from the producers.

The new bookazine has 22 chapters (8 Chapters by Fred Dibnah) 6 Chapters by Fred’s widow Sheila Dibnah. Stories by (Fred’s pals) Alf Molyneux, Michael Webber, Neil Carney, Paul Donoghue, Alan McEwan, Eddy Chattwood and a poignant Eulogy by Patrick Donoghue. Includes 220 Photographs (Many previously unseen) and 43 fantastic Illustrations.

They made me a Doctor
Fred at Birmingham University collecting his honorary doctorate Fred’s widow Sheila Dibnah, tells the story of a very special day. Includes rare footage of Fred collecting his honorary doctorate and his unique acceptance speech.

Fred Dibnah’s Engines “A moving story”
New film. A very sad day in Bolton. It’s Boxing Day and Fred Dibnah’s treasured traction engines leave their home for the very last time. Experts battle on a cold winter’s day, to remove the engines to a safe location after a tide of thefts from Fred’s estate.

Fred and the night watchman “Putting the world to rights”
Previously unseen footage of Fred and a demolition site night watchman putting the world to rights. This footage is very funny and will bring a smile to your face as you remember the real Fred Dibnah.

Details

Hardcover & DVD: unknown pages
Publisher: Rallyscene (2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: unknown
ISBN-13: 9781427621672

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“Fred Dibnah’s World” celebrates the life and work of Britain’s best known steeplejack and national treasure, Fred Dibnah. Before his death in 2004, Fred presented many popular series, including “Magnificent Monuments”, “The Age of Steam” and “Made in Britain”, all of which attracted viewers in their millions.

“Fred” is the companion to the 12-part “BBC2″ series celebrating the life of this great man, which combines highlights from some of Dibnah’s classic programmes with previously unseen footage. The book can of course go much further than the series, including an extraordinarily account of Fred’s childhood which evokes a lost England and our great industrial heritage.

Fred’s passion for the glories of the Victorian age and his fascination with the landscape he grew up in, plus his admiration for the craftsmen and labourers who made it all possible, captivate us on every page. Fred is the personification of everything that made England great in the first place. And this is a glorious tribute to a man whom millions came to love.

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Details

Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Bantam Press (2 Sep 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0593056647
ISBN-13: 9780593056646
Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 15.8 x 3.6 cm

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Includes Free 70 minute Compact Disk
Over 150 previously unreleased photographs
Artwork throughout with stunning illustrations by International Artist Brian Smith
4 Articles written by Fred himself before his untimely death
6 Articles written by Fred’s Widow Sheila Dibnah
Plus stories from friends and workmates who have put there feelings into words
Alf Molyneux Paul Donoghue Neil Carney David Hall Ian Thompson

Chapters include:

• The Story of Mr Smith
• They came from the BBC
• Life of a Steeplejack
• Fred visits The Great Dorset Steam Fair
• The Steam Rally scene
• Always in the Papers
• A Date with Her Majesty
• The Final Journey
• The Widows Tale

Details

Hardcover: 128 pages
Publisher: Aardvark Global Publishing Company (14 Jul 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1599719630
ISBN-13: 9781599719634
Product Dimensions: 29.4 x 21.2 x 1.4 cm

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In Fred Dibnah’s “Buildings of Britain”, we get Fred Dibnah’s own distinctive answer to this question, as he takes us to some of the country’s most famous and historic monuments, castles, cathedrals, abbeys, great houses and engineering marvels. One of Fred’s great passions was architecture, engineering and the craft skills of builders, carpenters, stonemasons and structural engineers.His interest was not in architectural theory but in the practicalities of how things were built and with the help of his beautifully executed drawings he was very good at giving simple, vivid explanations of how things like great medieval castles and abbeys were built at a time when technology was limited and there were no power tools, no concrete, no steel, no engines and no heavy machinery.

From Peterborough Cathedral to St Paul’s and from the Humber Bridge to the Blackpool Tower, the book will take us on a tour of Britain’s great historic buildings with a very unique and charismatic guide – Fred Dibnah.

Details

Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Bantam Press (18 Jun 2009)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0593061829
ISBN-13: 9780593061824
Product Dimensions: 24.9 x 19 x 2.8 cm

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