For those old enough to remember him...

Jellybean

Jellybean

A2OC Donor
Pinched from our local fb site..
646a719ec3056b40daafed15d7052b2a.jpg


Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk
 
A few years back there was a re-run of the old Dibnah steam series, Adam and I watched it, Adam was probably around ten years old at the time but loved it. Took me back to my tool making days.

Legend indeed.

Ian
 
I looked at his house when it first came up for sale about 12/14 years ago. It's a lovely place but has an incredibly sad atmosphere around it and it'd never be 'your' house. The heritage centre that was going to be set up sadly never really took off which is a real shame as the man really should be remembered, for the fantastic skills he possessed and was passionate about passing on to future generations.
 
One of the best anecdotes I remember from Fred's TV appearances was the time when he and his mates were being shown around a Cornish tin mine (or similar) and the guide, taking Fred's age, and by that time, poor health, into consideration, told him that the ingot he was about to pass to him was heavy and asked whether Fred would be OK with it. Without a moment's hesitation, his mate said 'Fred'll be fine; has tha sin his wallet?!?'
 
My favorite tale was about rebuilding the chimney stack on the street house, possibly when he still lived with his mother. It was quite ornate and a fair bit higher than the original. The updraft was fantastic he said, and if you sat too close to the hearth it would suck your slippers off

Cheers Spike
 
Small world, Fred lived at 121 Radcliffe Road, 'Two Cats', I as a youngster aged 10 to 17 I lived a few doors down at number 137 with parents. I remember him building the earth ramp for his steam rollerss up to the road, it was an immediate very steep drop down to the River Tonge.

Andy
 
The bloke was a legend, I don't think that there will be people like him in the future.
I thought that his family put a stop to having the museum. It would have been a brilliant place to look round.
I used to watch his telly programs, But there's no way I could ever climb those heights, Watching him made me feel giddy.
 
spike said:
My favorite tale was about rebuilding the chimney stack on the street house, possibly when he still lived with his mother. It was quite ornate and a fair bit higher than the original. The updraft was fantastic he said, and if you sat too close to the hearth it would suck your slippers off

Cheers Spike
Click to expand...
You can still see the chimney he built on his mother's house. I think it's now protected by the council. It's just off the A666 at Burnden
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot 2021-03-31 at 10.23.33.png
    Screenshot 2021-03-31 at 10.23.33.png
    2.8 MB · Views: 158
spike said:
My favorite tale was about rebuilding the chimney stack on the street house, possibly when he still lived with his mother. It was quite ornate and a fair bit higher than the original. The updraft was fantastic he said, and if you sat too close to the hearth it would suck your slippers off

Cheers Spike
Click to expand...
I remember that - brilliant, what a character.
 
The one thing I remember watching his show years ago was when he was asked to cut the ribbon in a charity shop I think? When they popped the champagne it starting fizzing out the bottle to which Fred shouted “ put thumb in thole “ Top bloke the likes we will never see again thanks to the red tape nanny state we live in today and I should know I have been a roofer 41 years and have total respect for the man as I have worked at height most of my life but never mill chimneys on a single scaf plank.
 
I don't think he would've volunteered his services except to ram it further into the sand to stop another load of mostly Chinese made crap arriving in Britain and Europe. That includes the ships held up behind it, except any tankers.
RIP Fred.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top