The late Fred Dibnah was a modern renaissance man. For not only did Fred say how something was built in times gone by, he would show the viewer, using exquisite drawings that he had executed himself, models or full-scale replicas, how the techniques had actually been employed by master craftsmen of times gone by.

The three DVD boxed set of Fred Dibnah’s Building of Britain is a fantastic introduction to Fred Dibnah’s world.

He is able to explain and to really demonstrate how things were done in what some people describe as “the olden days.”

Disk One: The Art of Castle Building and Might Cathedrals.

He explains how the castles were designed, how they were constructed, how they were managed and also, using a technique that Fred still used, how they could be taken during a siege.

Fred’s description of how the cathedrals were made (complete with working scale models of Medieval construction techniques) is not only interesting but also somewhat moving, too. An interesting aside was that Fred was able to show carpenter’s marks on wood that were used to ensure that beams fitted into beams. A sobering thought that the master carpenter who made those marks has been dead for 1,000-odd years. Yet his work is still a testament to his skills, brought to life by Fred Dibnah.

Watch The Art of Castle Building for free.

DVD Two: The Age of the Carpenter and Scottish Style.

The age of the carpenter describes how the skills of the carpenter really came into their own during the time of the Tudor great houses, when newly-wealthy merchants decided that they required a grand house for their family, suitable to their new status. Fred also pointed out some of the problems in these houses caused by faulty construction techniques. He also showed how these are being put right by using modern engineering solutions.

Scottish Style covers what was basically the Adams style. Fred Dibnah examines examples of what became known as Scottish Baronial style. He takes the viewer round Glamis Castle, pointing out how a relatively straightforward stone structure was transformed into the wonderful structure that we see today, by using teams of master stonemasons. The plasterwork in the castle was executed by experts from Italy. Of particular note the violin, skilfully created out of a mould and plaster. As Fred discovered the tale that the plaster violin was a real violin, dipped in plaster was not right. The true story was much more interesting. And Fred has a reasonably successful go at plaster work himself.

DVD Three: Building the Canals and Victorian Splendour

Here, of course, Fred Dibnah comes into his own. For this is Fred’s favourite era, I think. The Industrial Revolution and then into the times of Victorian Britain.

He returns home to Bolton to look at what remains of the once-extensive canal system and to explain not only how they were constructed (complete with models, of course) but also why they were constructed.

In Victorian Splendour Fred Dibnah takes a look at the fantastic work of Pugin when he was required to rebuild the Palace of Westminster in Medieval style, to match the remains of the palace. He shows how it was built, and how Big Ben’s clock tower was constructed and also reveals that Victorian pennies are still used to help regulate the running of the clock.

Extras on the DVD include a biography of Fred Dibnah and a filmography, both well worth viewing.

The specially written music by Elizabeth Parker, is outstanding.

Details

Format: PAL

Region: Region 2

Number of discs: 3

Classification: Exempt

EAN: 5036193090967

Studio: Acorn Media

DVD Release Date: 11 Jun 2007

Run Time: 180 minutes

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Disc 1: Fred Dibnah Getting Steamed Up
Fred Dibnah is unique, he is well known to the British public, through BBC television series “A year with Fred”. This DVD offers an insight into the world of Fred Dibnah, from chimney felling to a visit to the world’s largest steam rally. You will enjoy Fred’s wonderful sense of humour as he takes centre stage and captivates his audience with anecdotes and witty reminiscences.

Disc 2: The great Dorset steam fair
The great Dorset steam fair 1996 got off to a fantastic start with the assistance of one of the hottest summers in British history. What makes the great Dorset steam fair ‘great’ is that you can see traction engines and mechanical exhibits doing the job they were designed and built to do. It’s a museum of British history, but here everything is working.

Disc 3: Traction Engines at Work
The trusty traction engine was the workhorse of British agriculture and industry at the turn of the century. We used traction engines for many applications; powering fairgrounds, making roads, threshing the corn and hauling huge loads all over the country. You might think that the skills of the engine me died when they did, but this is not the case as you will see in this DVD. ‘Traction Engines At Work’ is an education in itself, as we show you preserved traction engines doing the job they were designed to do.

Details

Format: PAL
Region: Region 2
Number of discs: 3
Classification: Exempt
Studio: Contender Entertainment Group
DVD Release Date: 23 Sep 2004
Run Time: 170 minutes

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Disk One: The Story Of The Traction Engine
From the first steam powered road carriages at the beginning of the 19th century and the early development of the traction engine for work on farms, to the great road locomotives, showmans engines and steam lorries of the twentieth century and the birth of the preservation movement, Fred tells the story of steam power on the roads. Filmed on location at some of Britain’s major traction engine collections – Thursford, Strumpshaw, Hollycombe – and with enthusiasts and builders of replicas of some of our earliest steam vehicles.

Disk Two: Britain’s Biggest Engines
Fred travels round Britain to unearth some of Britain’s biggest and most powerful steam engines. Starting near home he takes us to see the biggest mill engine in Britain in Trencherfield Mill at Wigan Pier and goes to see groups of enthusiasts who are dedicated to preserving some of these engines at the Northern Mill Engine Society in Bolton and Ellenroad Engine House near Rochdale. He visits the biggest pit head winding engines in Britain at Astley Green Colliery Museum in Lancashire and the Scottish Mining Museum. He takes us to the biggest steel rolling mill engine at Kelham Island in Sheffield and some of the biggest pumping engines at Papplewick Pumping Station, Bratch Pumping Station and Kew Bridge Steam Museum. On the way he tells us some of his stories about mill engines and disasters.

Disk Three: On The Road With Fred
The story of Fred’s epic journey round Britain on his traction engine in 2004 for the television series Made In Britain. This specially edited version covers the first half of the journey with all the teething troubles Fred and his mate Alf Molyneux had as they set off from Bolton for the first time; then we follow them on the engine to Cumbria, Central Scotland, the North-East and Yorkshire. For the first time you will see all the bits of Fred you never saw on the television – every stage of this first half of the journey and every stop along the way in full.

Details

Format: PAL
Region: Region 2
Number of discs: 3
Classification: Exempt
Studio: Contender Entertainment Group
DVD Release Date: 26 Dec 2008
Run Time: 438 minutes

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These are the programmes Fred would have made, accompanying the viewer on the journeys of a lifetime, sharing a world of knowledge and excitement, offering an opportunity to see much that has never been screened before.

FRED DIBNAH’S RAILWAY COLLECTION on 3 discs features: The Story of Britain’s Railways; Great Little Steam Railways; Made in Britain: Railway Yards and Workshops, taking one from the earliest wood wagon ways in the 18th century to the last great days of steam and the birth of the railways preservation movement.

Locations include the National Railway Museum; the Bluebell Railway; Didcot Railway Centre; Birmingham Railway Museum; Llangollen, Middleton, Ravenglass and Eskdale, South Tynedale, Tanfield and East Lancs Railways; the Bo ness and Kinneil Railway; Midland Railway Centre; Great Central Railway; Severn Valley Railway and Ffestiniog Railway.

Featuring over six hours of never released footage along with classic archive footage from his series, this is a must-have for fans of Fred Dibnah and anyone with an interest in the inspiring story of Britain’s Railway history.

Details

Format: Box set, PAL
Region: Region 2
Number of discs: 3
Classification: Exempt
Studio: Acorn Media
DVD Release Date: 4 Aug 2008
ISBN-13: 5036193096853
Run Time: 438 minutes

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Programs including:

• The Industrial Landscape
• The Machines that Changed the World
• Men of Iron
• The Victorian Gentleman
• Preserving Our Past
• All Steamed Up
• Riches Beneath the Earth
• Changing the Landscape
• Great British Builders
• Masters of Their Trade
• A Good Days Work

The box set looks back at some of the sites Fred visited over the last 8 years inter-cut with comment from friends, family, experts and academics.

Details

Format: PAL
Region: Region 2
Number of discs: 4
Classification: Exempt
Studio: Demand DVD
EAN/ISBN13: 5060162455266
DVD Release Date: 9 Aug 2010
Run Time: 360 minutes

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Titles Include:
The Backyard
The Building
The Industrial Collections

Details

Format: PAL
Region: Region 2
Number of discs: 9
Classification: Exempt
Studio: Acorn Media
EAN/ISBN13: xxxx
DVD Release Date: 18 Oct 2010
Run Time: 1329 minutes (22 hours and 9 minutes)

Coming Soon

DISK ONE

Wind, Water & Steam: Fred takes a nostalgic tour of the country giving his own inimitable view on the Industrial Revolution.

Mills & Factories: The series continues as Fred Dibnah traces the development of Britain’s textile industry from the picturesque Scottish countryside of New Lanark to the urban mill town of Burnley.

DISK TWO

Railways: In this programme he traces the development of the railways from the first steam locomotive to the world record breaking Mallard.

Ships & Engineering: Fred looks at the great age of shipbuilding and examines the skills of engineers.

DISK THREE

Iron & Steel: Fred takes a look at the development of the iron and steel industries at Ironbridge Gorge in Shropshire.

Mining: Fred’s tour takes him from Cornwall to Scotland, exploring how tin, slate, lead and coal were all extracted from the ground.

Details

Format: PAL
Region: Region 2
Number of discs: 3 Disks
Classification: Exempt
Studio: XXXX
EAN/ISBN13: 5060162455181
DVD Release Date: July 12, 2010
Run Time: 150 minutes

Coming Soon

Program Two: A Festival of Tractors
Nicholas Kitchen narrates a gentle tour around the rural North, a view of tractors that delves deep into both their engines and origins.

Program Three: Fred Dibnah Getting Steamed Up
Bolton Steeplejack Fred Dibnah has scaled great heights in his career. And in this fascinating documentary, you’ll get to see him climb a 100-foot chimney that he’s preparing for steam-powered demolition. Further steamy exploits see Fred behind the wheel of a road roller and fixing a steam engine: part of the average day of an extraordinary man.

Program Four: The Beautiful World of Mechanical Music
Ted Brown, President of the Music Box Society, never fails to be amazed by the variety of music boxes in his beautifully restored, 20-year-old collection.

Program Five: A Festival of Transport
Filmed at two major UK rallies, A Festival of Transport is a must for any lover of classic vehicles.

Program Six: Model Railway
Enter the miniature world of the scaled-down trains through this filmic tour of the UK’s leading model railway clubs.

Details

Format: PAL
Region: Region 2
Number of discs: 3
Classification: Exempt
Studio: Boulevard Entertainment
DVD Release Date: 10 Oct 2007
Run Time: 350 minutes

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Combining extensive unseen footage with highlights from Fred’s programmes over the last seven years, this series looks at many sides of Fred – engineer, steeplejack, artist, craftsman, steam enthusiast, inventor and story teller – and celebrates his contribution to our knowledge and appreciation of Britain’s architectural, industrial and engineering heritage. This series includes interviews with Fred’s family and friends, as well as figures from the world of industrial heritage.
Disk One
1. The Industrial Landscape
Fred Dibnah looks at industrialisation in Britain. He revisits sites including Queen Street Mill, the Long Shop Museum and the Black Country Living Museum.
2. Back Street Mechanic
3. The Machines That Changed The World
Fred Dibnah traces the development of industrialisation in Britain.
4. Men of Iron
5. The Victorian Gentleman
6. Preserving Our Past

Disk Two
7. All Steamed Up
8. Riches Beneath The Earth
Celebrating Dibnah’s contribution to our appreciation of Britain’s architectural, industrial and engineering heritage. This edition looks at mining.
9. Changing The Landscape
10. Great British Builders
11. Masters of Their Trade
12. A Good Day’s Work
In this final programme, Fred visits Warwick Castle, Workington Steel Works, Kilhope Lead Mining Museum, Ely Cathedral, and Culzean Castle.
Watch part of this DVD for free now.

Details

Format: PAL
Region: Region 2
Number of discs: 2
Classification: Exempt
Studio: Contender Entertainment Group
DVD Release Date: 11 Sep 2006
Run Time: 348 minutes

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THE RAILWAY COLLECTION

THE STORY OF BRITAIN’S RAILWAYS
From the earliest wooden wagon ways to the last great days of steam and the birth of the railway preservation movement, Fred gives us his own unique history of the railways in Britain.

GREAT LITTLE STEAM RAILWAYS
Fred recollects his boyhood passion for steam railways, takes us on a tour of some of his favourite preservation lines and tells us some of his own railway stories.

MADE IN BRITAIN: RAILWAY YARDS AND WORKSHOPS
The skills of building, maintaining and restoring steam locomotives are still alive at the workshops of some of Britain’s preserved railways, and Fred visited some of the biggest on his traction engine grand tour of Britain for the series “Made In Britain”.

THE STEAM COLLECTION

THE STORY OF THE TRACTION ENGINE
Looks at the early steam carriages, the development of the traction engine, road locomotives, steamrollers, showman’s engines, steam lorries and preservation. Fred explains the history of the early steam-powered vehicles, from the development of the first traction engines to the great steam engines of the Twentieth Century.

Cornish engineer and inventor Richard Trevithick built an elegant and light steam carriage back in 1803 and Fred also comes face to face with a Puffing Devil from 1801. From wrecks to restored magnificence, Fred sees them all and meets the men who share his enthusiasm.

Taking in some of Britain’s major traction engine collections, Fred brings the history of the machines that helped shape Britain to life in his own inimitable style. Visiting the Long Shop Museum in Suffolk, he finds that Garrett’s Suffolk Punch isn’t quite what it seems and at The Thursford Collection, in Norfolk, we learn about George Cushing, who collected 45 of these engines.

The first steamroller was built by Thomas Aveling in 1867 but by the time that was superseded by the faster Wallis & Steevens Advanced steamrollers, petrol and diesel engines were taking over. During the First World War, traction engine wheels were used to move the big guns. Traction engines also generated the power for the Bioscope, an early form of cinema, and steam was also introduced into fairgrounds in the 1870s.

BRITAIN’S BIGGEST ENGINES
Mill engines, pit winding engines and pumping engines are covered seeing Fred visiting the 1907 state-of-the-art Trencherfield Mill at Wigan Pier — built by William Woods on the site of two earlier mills — that now houses one of the biggest surviving mill steam engines in the world.

He also visits Astley Green colliery, where enthusiasts have worked for twenty years on a large steam engine that once turned the huge wheel of the colliery. And then comes the very ornate Papplewick pumping station, built in 1884 to serve Nottingham.

ON THE ROAD WITH FRED
Follows Fred’s ‘grand tour’ of British steam history as he sets off with his friend Alf Molyneux around Cumbria, the Scottish borders, the North East and Yorkshire — in his own steam traction engine that he took 27 years restoring — and stops off at the famous Teesside landmark, the Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge.

Built in 1911, the Transporter Bridge is capable of carrying 600 people at a time. You walk (or drive) into a cradle suspended beneath the main span of the bridge — 160ft above the river Tees. This cradle then carries its cargo of cars and pedestrians across the river in less than three minutes.

Following a couple of setbacks and near-disasters, Fred is finally out on the road, driving through the lovely countryside of the North and meeting fellow enthusiasts. Fred is fascinating to listen to and his enthusiasm is infectious as he shares his experiences of the excitement and difficulties of owning a steam engine in Fred Dibnah’s Steam Collection.

Taken from the Made In Britain television series, this specially edited version shows the first half of Fred’s incredible journey in full, including footage not previously seen on television.

Details

Format: PAL
Region: Region 2
Number of discs: 6
Classification: Exempt
Studio: Acorn Media
EAN: 5036193099281
DVD Release Date: 1 June 2009
Run Time: 876 minutes

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