UNSEEN images of steeplejack Fred Dibnah climbing a 200 foot chimney with his wife, will be shown at a special event in Hebden Bridge Picture House in October.
Mr Dibnah, a much-loved steeplejack and his wife Sheila, were filmed by local filmmaker Nick Wilding.
Mr Wilding was in the area filming two documentaries and climbed to the top of the chimney to film the couple’s daring climb. He said: “I’d been sneaking off to film Fred. This was without telling my wife or anyone else, so that I could go and cling without ropes to the tops of mill chimneys, filming the steeplejack at work.”
His wife, Hebden Bridge chiropodist Jean Wilding, said she is relieved she did not know what he was doing at the time.
“This is film footage shot between 1996 and 2004 that up until now has remained in his personal archive and has only been seen by Fred, his family and friends. I hope that eventually it will feature as part of a series on television,” said Mr Wilding.
Mr Dibnah died of cancer in 2004 .
Mr Wilding was the only cameraman to record footage from the top of mill chimney. The footage is thought to include the last contracts he undertook. Mr Dibnah starred in a number of documentaries for the BBC after being spotted on a news item.
“It’s undoubtedly a very rare opportunity to see some extraordinary footage of the man, never seen on TV or anywhere else,” said Mr Wilding.
He said: “Sheila and I have now spent several years editing this material and on Fred Dibnah Night will combine Sheila’s talks, with anecdotes from me and some programme extracts. These will include Sheila’s terrifying chimney climb, but to see if she makes it to the top you will have come to Fred Dibnah Night.”
The climb was filmed from below by Tristan Haley, of Blackshaw Head. The restored film will also feature animation by local cartoonist Mike Bryson.
It will raise funds for Mr Wilding to restore the 1920 Cecil Hepworth silent movie Helen of Four Gates.
Mr Wilding hopes to raise enough money to restore the film in time for the Hebden 500 Festival in 2010.
It would be the first time the film has been shown in Britain for 90 years.
It will be shown on October 15 at 7.30pm. Tickets are available at Hebden Bridge Tourist Information Office and at the Picture House. Tickets cost £8 for adults, £6 for concessions.
(source)
