Fred Dibnah laddering a chimney (Part 1)

**2021 update: Wow I would never have thought that 10 years ago a video I uploaded (KZbin had a 10 minute maximum upload hence 2 parts) would've had over 2 million views and reaction videos! Legends never die, Fred's legacy continues!**
Fred showing us how he actually got those ladders up the chimney! Part One.
Part two continues: • Fred Dibnah laddering ...
FAQ:
This was filmed early - mid 1990s when Fred was in his 50s.
He died in 2004 (not from falling off).
The chimney is Ena Mill (Atherton England) and is still standing.
Footage has been taken from a DVD.
The crane was filming how Fred installed the ladders. They would have only been there for the day whereas Fred needed the ladders up after they’d gone, to do the work. That’s why he didn’t use it.
There is no further parts.
I never asked for adverts to appear (sorry) and don’t own copyright.
(All other questions/comments seem to mention how he got up there due to the weight of his balls)

[@JonSmith-cx7gr]

freds safety equipment: Safety flat cap Safety cigarette Jobsagoodun.

[@dogboymalone11]

...BUT 1ST A FEW BEERS.

[@JonSmith-cx7gr]

@@dogboymalone11 Of course. Safety beers.

[@andylucas6962]

A belly full of beer is essential

[@questionitall3053]

The one and only Fred Dibnah. The classic example of a great North of England history. Gone but never forgotten, Sir Fred Dibnah

[@blaster88778]

He knows there's only him holding him up so no mix up with harness.

[@RamblinAround]

"As you get a bit higher up, the holes have a tendency to get a bit deeper. I think it's called fear." LOL. Fred was quite an impressive person to say the least.

[@elrond12eleven]

he said in one of his interview that being young he collected photos of fallen steeplejacks in Bolton pinning them to the door. When Fred was 16 the door was covered... As he also said: "You don't fall off the 90 feet chimney the second time, you know".

[@grasub1]

He was some man - never to see his likes again. We miss you Fred.

[@robert48044]

I liked that also

[@mule666]

What about the old beer belly gets in handy 😂

[@borntoclimb7116]

@@elrond12eleven almost 200 workers died in the past UK

[@muchasgracias6976]

Who else is watching this in sheer awe of Freds skill and bravery?

[@iamrocketray]

I used to cut roofs, and work off ladders, But what fred does takes a right nutter, there isn't enough money in the whole wide world that would get me to do his job.

[@stephenlambert9826]

@@iamrocketray I watch this and think if I had to ladder that chimney to save a loved ones life then the poor people would be goners.I couldn’t do it!!!

[@johncox2284]

"Its quite simple really" not me Fred. I would.have a death grip on the third rung of the first ladder! I.wonder how often he had to work in wind and rain? When you get to the top you don't just trot on back down to the ground at the first sign of rain do you?

[@dbilbie]

Balls of fuckin steel mate!!!!

[@timwilcox848]

Amazing

[@davidallison1005]

With all the turmoil in the world today, watching this nice old man climb tall ladders like a little boy brings me a sense of purpose in life and a level of peace. He's climbing a ladder, but somehow it's so much more.

[@bored.in.california2111]

One thing I realized as I got older is that there's a whole lot of people who, like me, watch these kind of videos to escape their own lives and the anxiety and depression which it brings. There really is only one thing that has proven to bring peace and happiness in ones own life.

[@pimcopim]

he was not that old then he just was born old: his mother had a difficult birth because he came wearing a flat hat

[@chadmorris8503]

Old skool rules. X

[@leeetchells609]

@@pimcopim I think Fred was about 55 when he made this film. Unfortunately his health quickly deteriorated and he died from lung cancer about 10 years later. He did smoke proper fags but breathing in the soot and dust didn't help him . R.I.P .

[@quinharrison5598]

@@pimcopim young kid response

[@chonchjohnch]

Legend has it that Fred didn’t die but rather reached heaven with an infinite supply of ladders

[@OregonCrow]

cringe

[@palmeristo]

@@OregonCrow no empathy

[@yippeeki-yay1691]

​@@palmeristo - He's a gamer and most likely American - don't be that shocked.

[@gregdubya1993]

@@OregonCrow don't be a wad.

[@77thTrombone]

He'd be the man to do it.

[@Oakleaf700]

''As you get 'igher up the oles have a tendency to get a bit deeper...ah think it's called Fear'' - great Fred !

As you get igher up yer buttoks get tarter.

[@richardingle7540]

He says that and laughs ...the man had balls of steel hahaha 😲👍

[@stephenlambert9826]

Thanks for quoting.we all missed that bit

[@ewouthonig371]

@@stephenlambert9826 You'd be surprised how many people lack the ability to understand his English. They're now googling what the hell "oles" are :-)

[@LocoListo408]

I Hurd that too bro

[@skindancer01]

"If that 'appened to come out, I'd still be in with a chance you know?...." Makes my palms sweat watching this, I took my Dad to meet Fred years ago for Father's day at a book signing, and what a joy it was to waych two old time craftsmen (Fred was WAY more than a steplejack and Dad is a coppersmith) thumbs looped into their waistbands exchanging stories, a really lovely man RIP Fred Dibnah

[@eldoncollins7254]

Brilliant image.

[@coppulor6500]

Thanks for sharing. Stories like this make the comment section almost as good as the video :-)

[@houseofbadgers9380]

Wish I could have done this for my dad.. He luved Fred.. 😁

[@johnbennett7065]

Hope you are fixing plenty of old engines up there Fred! You are a legend down here.

[@kilm2232]

"It's perfectly safe...." Fred, you mad, mad bastard.

[@gsummy4062]

🤣🤣 I get head staggers climbing into a bunk bed ffs.

[@borderlord]

"When you're three quarters of the way up and the wind tries to snap the ladder off sideways..its quite exciting." 😳🤣 I could watch and listen to Fred all day ! So grateful they made these films about him and he made his own films about industry and architecture! Back when you said you're proud to be British..in large part because the country had alot more guys like Fred going about his tough business just matter of fact! RIP

[@whiteyfisk9769]

Funny how the less wyte a country becomes the more corrupt, bankrupt morally and financially, and inept it becomes....weird.

[@reknakfarg7252]

Are you saying other countries didn't have the exact same type of workers?

[@Andreas_Mann]

@@reknakfarg7252 Where did he say that? Nowhere, you dunce

[@artbybaz7060]

“It’s the dodgy bit when it’s very windy, and ‘yer three quarters of the way up and the winds trying ta snap that ladder off sideways, err, it’s quite exciting.“ Faaaaark man, balls of steel. I’m laughing and I’m shaking with fear… and I’m sat at my desk.

[@johnnyjeastbelfast8795]

Balls of steel... Men like this built Great Britain with their bare hands....an era gone forever..One of a kind ....RIP Fred

[@peteredwards7760]

Thought it was diversity 😮

[@Davey768]

Demolished lots of it too 😅

[@telboy1965]

Fred was an absolute legend and yes sadly an era gone forever

[@kellyprice8246]

Not really. There are still plenty of steeplejacks in the UK.

[@CEO786]

@@peteredwards7760the slaves and foreigners saved Britain no doubt.

[@MrSmid888]

Never be done again in the UK this. Watching a dead trade literally. A great man!An icon.And a worker.

[@Matibeos]

it is still done. the method is still in use ie. rope, pulley. but you must be attached at all times & use proven materials ie. aluminium ladders, climbing rope, eyebolts, resin etc. and a lot of H&S paperwork :)

[@westernlightning814]

The old wooden steeplejack ladders would often give you horrible splinters and very heavy. Dogs can and have pulled out.

[@prawngravy18]

@Roderick storey yeah stopping people from dying is problematic, we need to secure the old ways of working when people got poisoned from coal mines and arms ripped off from non safety building materials.

[@678friedbed]

@@prawngravy18 fell free to live in a bubble, this is the real world and the real world is dangerous. the problem is stupid people will still get hurt and putting restrictions on the professionals in many cases is now making things more dangerous. you should look into how many people die from fall protection when if they wernt wearing fall protection they would have only had a broke leg or arm they end up dead because the fall protection it self killed them.

[@richardoakley8800]

He's no man... he's a bloke.. old skool

[@Guvna07]

They simply don't make em like that anymore. What a legend.

[@bojojojo913]

(when he had all the ladders hauled up and fixed, the hardest job of all came next - pulling his massive balls up the chimney after him)

[@astroboirap]

dont be stupid, thousands of steeplejacks do this

[@mariocueva8700]

Agreed, most ladders are now made in China

[@shinyguy3766]

@@astroboirap And none are from the past two generations.

[@BIackCadillac]

@@shinyguy3766 Don't go mistaking your weakness for others, plenty of people do this shit just not you.

[@tonyjames5444]

Aside from being a brilliant steeplejack and engineer he was also an outstanding draughtsman and talented artist.

[@peterh1353]

Yes. Went to art school!

[@hartleyhare99]

He signed a book for me once, beautiful handwriting.

[@sonnylambert4893]

And as self aware and eloquent as all get out!

[@ianboard3555]

Can't say why, but for me, this is probably the single most interesting video on youtube.

[@bertramlefarge69]

Mr Fred 'Titanium Testicles' Dibnah was one hell of a man. Not only was his work at the extreme end of dangerous, he used old kit, didn't wear a harness and was fuelled by a pub lunch and a few pints. Its just one big WTF!!! Top man.

[@georgecroney6168]

Bertram LeFarge pointless using a harness, theres nothing to attach to unless youve already got to the top!

[@roeng1368]

Titanium ? Fred would have no truck with such nasty modern materials, proper victorian cast iron or nowt.

[@Dr.TJ_Eckleburg]

How this man was never knighted is a travesty. He should get a posthumous knighthood at the very least.

[@hanoitripper1809]

EVOCATEUR i agree he was bloody brilliant... but maybe because all over England, Scotland Irish and Wales every town had a few of these resourceful, skilled, no BS chaps.

[@bertramlefarge69]

@@georgecroney6168 That's not actually correct. You'd attach to the ladder asit went up, pain in the arse but probably health and safety correct. But he didn't use one even when he was up there.

[@shadow-Sun]

That man is a LEGEND I remember watching his programme when I was a kid , I am north of 50 now myself . Fred Dibnah represents all that was good about Britain, his character , hard work ethic , easy going presenting style , love of British engineering heritage, a genuine genuine guy and someone the country could be proud of ...he was not rare back in the day many Brits were like him ...sadly all gone now replaced by "reality" stars like Jordan ,Those Towie idiots, and Geordie Shore nobodys Kim Kardashian the list is endless ...how things have changed for the worse in my opinion in television land and the world in general..

[@simonManleeeee]

So true

[@Stop..carry-on]

Spot on

[@Sterlingjob]

My friend is a bit of an eccentric like Fred! Loads of bikes, land rovers and a steam engine! I’m sure they could a series on him!

[@Critical-thinker85]

To be honest theres still plenty of good hard working brits with old values it's just that the media wants everyone to think the world is full of celebrity wannabes.

[@chris746568462]

Could not agree more.

[@justandy333]

"The higher up you get the holes have a tendancey get a bit deeper...I think its called fear!" :) Classic

[@marcusp905]

I found this with women.

[@CaleMessner]

Me: even thinking of heights give me vertigo and anxiety... KZbin recommendations:... Have you met Fred Dibnah?

[@binarybox.binarybox]

Fred smiled and waved at us as he drove his traction engine past us at a Fair.

[@shanemanchester]

I’m from Manchester and I heard a good tale about Fred. He was employed by a northern council to do some work on top of a 200 ft chimney. He comes down and says to the suit with a clipboard, “it’s done, ‘ere’s me bill.” The suit asks “how do I know it’s done?” Fred replies “get yersen up ladder an’ ‘ave a look!”😀😀

[@ianbentley7276]

lol

[@voyagersa22]

"That's when a beer belly comes in handy" hahah what a fucking legend this man

[@kenconnolly5710]

On real

[@blakeyonthebuses]

My god this man's completely fearless. What a wonderful bloke.

[@JJZBULLITT109]

Room for his feet? How about his bollocks? He's got the biggest pair anywhere. The Flying Wallendas don't have shit on Fred. Wood Ladders, Christ.

[@jimbean7523]

It just shows how skilled Fred was and how confident he was in his own abilities, because he was the only one climbing the chimneys he worked on! Incredible talent and sadly missed 😞

[@robb5433]

I wonder how many people came across Fred by mistake but have now watched most of his Vids. You'll never see a man alive who can come close to the legend of FD.

[@ronaldkelly5301]

I cannot believe how he describes such a life threatening job in such a calm and casual manner, while I get dizzy standing on a chair to hang a picture

[@yourmum69_420]

man up

[@MrLewisFloydHenry]

Unbelievable!! He has to put all those ladders up! Then swing about on a wooden swing with ropes whilst erecting staging and platforms hundreds of feet up! Chisel the chimney down and then somehow take it all down again!!! There is no amount of money I would do that for. That is super human abilty!! No other explaination.

[@davewarner8401]

Lewis Floyd Henry he was a legend.he never really got the credit he deserved.England's finest!

[@rmclaren83]

Its ppl like fred who should get good wages not prima donna over paid footballers and so called celebs...

[@salvadormarley]

That's right Lewis, It's quite simply staggering.

[@johnjenks7812]

Lewis Floyd Henry It's fucking retarded desperate is the world!

[@richardtaylor2449]

yes unbelievable!! he explained the wind can blow and twist the ladders'.... oh shit he said it makes it exciting.... shitting myself watching and reminds me of bungee jumping off a crane

[@youtert]

So your life depends on one pice of metal wedged into a piece of wood in the wall.

[@tinytattoomike7943]

youtert yep if it gets remotely loose it falls out

[@anneread6729]

youtert i

[@MrBoredcol]

And your life depends on a tiny little rubber o ring when you use the brakes on your car. So.......

[@WineScrounger]

I’d prefer a stainless eyebolt

[@Matibeos]

it may be surprising to know that you'd need a hell of a lot of force for that iron dog to come out the plug wood. Wind & even a fall wouldn't pull it out. Fred served his apprenticeship as a joiner. How do you think timber roofs for example have been constructed & held in place for hundred/thousands of years? Wood, bolts & wisdom :)

[@JasonJohn7185]

Amazing how he did this without any safety harness and survived to live to 66 years save for cancer. Just goes to show health and safety is common sense if its done correctly. Rest easy fred.

[@Deathadder90]

Tbf. The people for whom common sense wasn't enough, aren't here to tell you so ;) Skews the perception a bit eh.

[@MrBobsmith34]

Fred himself used to say a chimney would take his live eventually. If I play Russian roulette there is obviously a chance I survive but if I do that does mean it safe . I think Fred was a bit lucky to get through his profession unscathed -pleased he did obviously. Part of the appeal of these programmes at the time might have been that Fred took some risks even by the standards of 1970s health and safety culture. My dad worked on building sites in 1960s/1970s and even he sometimes thinks bloody hell when we watch these together today.

[@bored.in.california2111]

@@MrBobsmith34 There was a guy from Norway doing videos of swimming during their winter, diving through ice and so on and people were always amazed he even survived the cold. He beat cancer too. Last video he did was his annual one of celebrating his birthday. He drowned while filming a video. Fell in through ice. Weird how luck or chance seemingly plays an instrumental part. His channel is called Apetor btw

[@BullyBoxer]

@@MrBobsmith34 nah Nothing to do with a luck ,Fred was just on a different level , we have these high climbers doing these silly climbs today some of them even higher the same with zero harnesses .

[@BullyBoxer]

@@bored.in.california2111 the word your looking for is fate not luck.

[@chrismeredith8637]

How’s he getting his leg over the top rung with balls that big?

[@tomtalk24]

Its fine, he left space on each run of the ladder for boots and balls.

[@jimmyeastwoodjonnyfleeeast1578]

Gold

[@copferthat]

The higher up you go, the deeper the holes...it's called fear. Rubbish, what does Fred know about fear? It's just a word he's read somewhere.

[@Matibeos]

One of Fred's great quotes was "A man who says he has no fear is either a fool or a liar"

[@Matteus733]

Lol

[@katman734]

You can't change a lightbulb without H&S having a fit!

[@bardmadsen6956]

@@Matibeos - Assuming you are also not afraid of heights, is it overcoming fear or just some people are not affected the same? I grew up with aircraft and would climb up the airport beacon trying to condition myself to not be afraid to no avail. Flying is fun yet I have trouble working at the gable end of my house, especially using both hands working and looking above. I was having trouble starting on Part 2 just to see how to work the ladders, Part 1 seems to show it better and closer to the ground!

[@Matibeos]

@@bardmadsen6956 I've never had fear of heights, and enjoy working outdoors seeing new sights. I don't know if vertigo can be hypnotised/treated away like other phobias. Fred grew up seeing steeplejacks at work and to him were superheroes.

[@sipesconstruction8908]

I have been watching his videos and I have to say this man is incredible... this old man could out work any teenager or someone in their 20s...

[@quorthonsinferno5119]

Yes, because he has decades of experience.

[@spiritinflux]

Work ethic isn't the same these days. Zeitgeist is vastly differnt, trades are pushed for quantity over quality... Also the biggest quality he has goig for him, he's Northen. 👍

[@earthsgard]

No question there,

[@scottnewton9370]

@@spiritinflux Lancastrian most importantly

[@Joshua-jj4xn]

Incorrect.

[@lapisredux]

this is called "can do" something that is now severely lacking in the uk.

[@Rushy89]

"...Mithering...", thats some gradely Lancashire speyke there.

[@PSUK]

Proper Boltonese

[@TheCultofshiva]

I'm a scaffolder and I have been working since I was 14 years old. My 1st company was really old-fashioned and safety certificates and trainings were not yet a standard back then and I always admired how inventive and creative these old guys were. I learned a lot of tricks and problem solving skills there. The hard way too, they wouldn't sugar coat criticism but seeing Fred I miss those days.

[@paulroberts9704]

The only thing I've managed to ladder was my wife's stockings

[@geespar1]

You’ll have to stop wearing them 😄

[@dadosaurus]

@@geespar1 or at least cut ya toenails ha ha

[@jasonantigua6825]

This generation have almost all passed away now😞 I miss the old timers.

[@etzubeatzu2688]

What did you hear?

[@markm49]

The way he smacks that brick chisel with no protection for his hand. Hard enough to do this at ground level never mind 150ft up in the wind and on a shaky ladder. Jesus.

[@danielmarshall4587]

He is a GEEZA... I will agree with you.

[@gutworm686]

Cold chisel

[@lukepiexd7542]

Rolwly on hay duggy

[@sloanosborne1136]

this guy is amazing! how he can just move around like nothing when he is so high up is beyond my understanding! wow

[@bullterriermolly5874]

This guy reminds me of my grandfather who was a carpenter. That level of craftsmanship and ball size is hard to find nowadays these old guys were great.

[@wawawutosnftbs8922]

When ya 3/4 Of the way up n the wind is blowing the ladder sideways..its quite exciting. Omg what a legend..RIP great man.

[@AMStationEngineer]

I recorded all of the "Dibnah Stuff", while living just outside of Dublin (had to do the PAL to NTSC conversion), and shipped the tapes back to the states - for my family to enjoy. (along with a case of "Barry's Tea", "Soda Bread", and "Irish Bacon") Although I never had the chance to witness it, I am told that my grandmother, the quintessential Irish Catholic, and physician, "would pray the rosary at warp speed, when Fred began climbing". An Irish woman, born at the turn of the century, praying for a Brit; who'd have thunk it??

[@AMStationEngineer]

@takesone2knowone as intended...

[@philevans2019]

@takesone2knowone thats what you thunk

[@JWB86]

@@AMStationEngineer your granny wanted a bit of Fred. I wish my granny married him

[@awgkiwi]

Nope, couldn't watch beyond 8 minutes. Felt faint, went for a lie down and a cup of tea.

[@macca8562]

This man deserves the MBE, OBE, etc etc, for his services to the backbone of this once fine country, Sir Fred, vote now

[@ismailmiah1446]

Used to beat his wife up....

[@jimbobur]

@@ismailmiah1446 source?

[@ismailmiah1446]

@@jimbobur why do you think they left him.....he wasn't a good husband or father. ...more like great grafter

[@jimbobur]

@@ismailmiah1446 do you have a source to back up that he used to beat his wife? I'd be interested to learn more.

[@ismailmiah1446]

@@jimbobur no I don't actually keep sources of these things as it's irrelevant in my life.....but I'm sure if you wanted you could source it via his wives friends family etc

[@freepartytunes]

One of the most impressive things for me with Fred was he kept all that knowledge and know how in his head! On top of all the hobby stuff to do with building steam engines, combustion engines, construction knowledge, he then kept all those plans for laddering, scaffolding, pulley systems, the list goes on but its incredible.

[@coppulor6500]

Regarding the knowledge shown in this video only, there isn't much to remember and it's pretty straightforward. So keeping it in your head is no big deal. What is amazing is the following: Having the balls to even try this Hammering into the side of a chimney so high up Building the scaffolding at the top Owning this many ladders lol Having the balls to even try this Not wearing any harness Climbing all the way up with such massive balls No guardrail at the top scaffolding Did I mention him doing this job with such massive balls? Lol What a fucking legend. This is would be hard to believe if someone was telling you the story if you didn't see it for yourself. That's how amazing it is

[@freepartytunes]

@@coppulor6500 maybe so, but as he mentioned he learned from a bit of chalk drawn on the floor by his old boss in I assume like the 40/50s, and then forevermore simply recalled that drawing, there were no books or anything or exams, it reminds me of self taught musicians.

[@coppulor6500]

@@freepartytunes roger that. This guy was a supeduperman. I've been on ladders for 25 years and up relatively high and on roof etc but no way you could pay me enough to do what he did. Well ... Not without all kinds of safety backup and backups to the backups lol. What a beast

[@freepartytunes]

@@coppulor6500 oh for sure, i wont lie I enjoy watching fred work on the ground too the guy was just enthralling, maybe its being from near bolton its almost calming to hear the accent haha 😆 but yeah his shows on steam engines and rebuilding his house are some of my favourites

[@christ3423]

i use to speak to this guy a lot when he came to our factory for paint, the stories lol... 1997 that was.. Proper Bloke..

[@dubtownman9508]

The skills, the tacit knowledge that this man possessed will be lost in time like dust falling through our fingers.. what a man.

[@hothmobile100]

Excatly. His life was more valuable than any doctor or dentist but I doubt he was paid as well. What an amazing set of skills to watch.

[@pharoahegypt]

Fred was not only a flaming legend, but as crazy as they came! So much kudos & respect for what he did, and how he did it. Only modern comparison is perhaps Guy Martin; & even he ain't got the balls of dearly departed Fred. Grew up watching his shows, & now found them all to watch again here. Thanks for the uploads & sharing.

[@maverickthebastard]

Guy Martin is not even close to the metal of this man, sorry!

[@raymondwalsh7520]

Fact: Fred Dibnah is not of the snowflake generation.

[@anonsillybear]

True but you're a snowflake and of his generation. People who whine alot like you are the real snowflakes lol

[@MomedicsChannel]

Fact: The only snowflakes are the ones calling everyone else snowflakes.

[@0ptimal]

2:05 ultimately he only drove that metal spike in about an inch....... lol. I know it's secure, but no way I could ever trust it to hold me. I'd love to see someone do a video on how strong these points actually are.

[@ALKUKES]

Legitimate worker, sad how some vip get millions

[@priestfan81]

@@johnjenks7812 Your comment makes no sense. You probably aren't white, but if you are, I am ashamed.

[@lonelyfarangchronicles2017]

Great comment he was a top grafter

[@tomtalk24]

Thing is he knows what he wants and is happy. A few pints, steam engines and a proper brew. People aiming for millions dont have anything to make them happy.

[@casaMariaPT]

Fred died a millionaire....I'm happy to say

[@josephanderson7237]

ALKUKES that’s a corporate ladder they are climbing. 😊

[@scottkent3425]

this man is a legend and a lot of guts to climb up really high chimneys every day we all miss you fred God bless you we never for get you

[@kupus6622]

I bet he'd sink a few pints of bitter at lunch just to warm up, get back at it for afternoon shift. Blokes like him built Britain.

[@sburge1989]

Blokes like him knocked it down with a fookin hammer before lunch

[@miggysss1]

He does mention he has a few pints to start before knocking down a chimney brick by brick in another video, I needed to sink a few just watching this film

[@SJM6791]

Now Britain being destroyed by foreign invaders!!!

[@SOFAJEDI]

He used to drink in the lever bridge and castle street conservative club. Had about 100 pints paid on at all times.

[@K3NnY_G]

My favorite part is he's drilling into his own holes, cause he's the one who's been here before.. This is honestly amazing, what a trade; what a guy.

[@schutzemk2811]

are you my wife?

[@coppulor6500]

Which means he carried heavy ass mortar up and down that thing!

[@sarahsue4065]

I remember my Mum was so excited to get to meet him at a steam rally near Northamptonshire.. he was humble as ever . Last of the real men sadly

[@Fedaykin24]

What is fascinating is this is the old traditional method, Fred must have been the last to use these techniques that were developed in the Victorian era! Now they would use a power drill and drop in an anchor bolt, the modern way is safer but it is amazing to see how it was done!

[@Gravitycrazy]

Actually you'd pre-cast anchor points in the structure itself, all youd need is an impact wrench to secure a ladder

[@advancednutritioninc908]

Amazing Skill !! Sitting atop a 30 foot ladder - balanced on one leg, swinging a 3 pound sledge drilling holes in the brick wall and installing your dogs, and saying " oh yeah it's a bit easy I have done this at least 7 times before." I am falling off my chair both in laughter and in respect for what you do every day!! Love your humor -"When the wind is trying to tear the ladder off the chimney - it's quite exciting!!"

[@timblackwood1531]

If there was a Zen master of steeplejacks then Fred would be the man !

[@liamb8379]

To think nowadays. We would just fly a drone up to inspect these things. What a guy Fred was!

[@hhrfc671]

Fred was supposed to be the first man on the moon but they ran out of ladders.

[@davejblair]

Right, that's the ladder secured to the chimney. How do you secure Fred to the ladder?

[@tomsmith9208]

Even if them ladders were fastened in to those b4icks with M10 raw bolts and I was all harnessed up I still couldn’t clime that chimney never mind erect a scaffold at various stages around it and with the wind whistling round you all day, I’ve been up on many roofs and even at 40 ft you really get that sense that one tiny wrong move could end you. As Fred says “you need a stout Aart” to take one on alone.

[@ziggypete1593]

They broke the mould when he died , absolute legend

[@1969longshanks]

Or was it when he was born?

[@62Cristoforo]

There’s nothing as beautiful as time tested methods, born out of trial and error, generations of fathers and sons.

[@cadge]

Had a tv repair man tell me no one goes up to fix an aerial if it is over two stories anymore...wankers.

[@patkelly3966]

Elf n Safety gone kaputtttt

[@thedigitalemotion]

Haha, love it, and you’re right, fucking idiots won’t climb the stairs these days without a certificate.

[@bluegtturbo]

Absolute legend was Fred - balls of steel! Fred we all applaud you - as you look down from the top of that great ladder in the sky!

[@craigdavidson2278]

He would have been my idea of a dream grandad.....could sit all day and listen to him talk.

[@RogerWilcoSnr]

Lancashire’s finest. Legend.

[@efaracing4000]

Words dont describe what a cool dude fred was(still is) im 26 2022 so glad my dad made me listen to fred while playing with my 4472 horny train set (flying scotsman)

[@grizcuz]

Me and my cousin were obsessed with Fred when we were kids. When he was on the telly in the 80's, they didn't have the foresight to pixelate his phone number on the side of his van. So my cousin made a note of it. When we were bored one summer holiday and our parents were out at work, we phoned him. But unfortunately he wasn't at home, so we never got to speak to the great man.

[@graeme3023]

He's a fearless man for doing that. I did many parachute jumps in the army and am not scared of heights, but no way would I be doing that without some form of safety harness.. R.I.P. Fred.

[@indiana146]

Fred made sure we didn’t forget our history His daughter still has his old Land Rover she live 2 miles from me in hoddlesden i live in darwen 7 miles from Fred’s hometown Bolton The video of him climbing India mill chimney in darwen is awesome

[@fragglerock6127]

Old school hard grafting no nonsense Northern Lad. RIP Fred

[@ChrisG1392]

it's 1:26am and im watching a man pound a ladder into a chimney

[@kroon275]

Such an honest guy. He never treats his viewers as if they ate stupid. But he has an amazing way of explaining even the most minor details but they actually end up contributing to an overall enhanced picture of what he is trying to explain. Its very easy to get lost in it all 👌

[@DRAGONS147]

Fred Dibnah is the definition of the Word Legend. What a man!!!!! The Man had Balls of Pure Chimney.

[@mickybrennan3489]

What an absolute legend this great man was. Rip fred.

[@tinytattoomike7943]

Has anyone ever arm wrestled Fred I bet his grip strength was bionic!

[@jamiewulfyr4607]

Michael Rusch.Someone who met him at a function said he had the strongest handshake he'd ever felt in his life.And that was when Fred was in his 60's & earning most of his money from T.V. appearances & speaking engagements.He was by all descriptions immensely physically strong for his size.

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

Jamie Shutler My grandad was a,stonemason from the time he a teenager and his hands were made of forged steel. I can only imagine what Fred's were like.

[@Patigoooool]

@@jamiewulfyr4607 i thought exactly this! You'd know about it when he shook your hand! Legend

[@jamiewulfyr4607]

@@Patigoooool-Absolute legend.British steel to the core! 💪😎👌

[@classicartfoundation639]

They hired Fred to dig the channel tunnel with his bare hands

[@macman975]

When you see the work ethic of men like Fred, and realise that this was the norm and not the exception back in the day. You can start to see why this little rock in the North Atlantic became an industrial powerhouse with the biggest empire the world has ever seen.

[@ChrisEAdlay]

Now they're too scared to misgender someone or be accused of racism

[@daled4191]

Shame Thatcher destroyed this countries work ethic for greed.

[@ricvanwinkle1665]

And my kids complain about taking out the trash 😂😂😂

[@odetdpseconddletdpseta9343]

Fred is working faster and doing things 1000 x times better than a 20 yr old at his age. Amazing! Unbelievable!

[@excalibur3702]

What a man nerves of steel I'm getting vertigo just lying in bed rip Fred a real man my what a way to earn a living you were my dad's hero to but sadly passed hope you bump into him upstairs and enjoy a wee Guinness ♠

[@NeesyPlaysGuitar]

This man has stones of steel. That about about deeper holes and fear had me laughing hard.

[@pohl54]

If ever there was a national treasure it was fred dibnah.

[@ianstewart7686]

I am in sheer awe of the man ever step is his life on the line Awe inspiring Nerve of steel Hands of iron Big King Kong balls And a lovely kind gentleman The north men are special breed of man Fred for king of the north ❤️❤️❤️

[@paddy9i99]

A genius, legend . . . a total one-off

[@stolendata]

Very interesting to note how his way of speaking has changed so dramatically between this filming and the famous "Fred Dibnah: Steeplejack" documentary from 30 years ago. He's so much calmer and clearer in speech and phrasing. Genuine quality, that man.

[@ktkktk6676]

This gentleman is just fantastic; absolutely wonderful.

[@ktkktk6676]

RIP Fred D.

[@Arkadius1984gl]

A craftsman and a hard working bloke, unlike a young generation of workshy pricks nowadays....

[@TheColossalBlanket]

Oh and I bet you're just sooo hard working aren't you? A real grafter doing lots of manly man work. You big working man you.

[@iguile1471]

Still watch fred every once in a while, i climb ropes and need 2 seperate points of contact with a harness, 2 ASAPs, a set of lanyards a chest ascender and a descender, heres fred with his hands and feet 💪🏻😂

[@bethechangeme2233]

"As you get a bit higher up the oles have a tendency to get a bit deeper.... i think its called fear" hahahahaha!! that made me laugh so hard. Such a nice guy with big massive big cahoona's and a great sense of humor to boot. God bless his soul I hope he's in heaven.

[@DLIN666]

Fred Dibnah, what an absolute legend. They don’t make them like him anymore. RIP.

[@steve1962]

Very clever man, but also very humble. We will never see his like again, mores the pity.

[@monkeydixadventures]

Fabulous video. I have just done a video with drone footage of Ena Mill, paying homage to the true grit of Fred Dibnah. We will never see his like again. What an awesome character. It was amazing to stand where Fred had stood and look 👀 up at the awe inspiring height of the chimney brickwork. Cheers Dean

[@bagelking5551]

Fred dibnah was an absolute legend!! Born 100 years to late!! Lovely industrial engineering and a proper worker! Loved watching all his programmes when I was younger

[@CaesarInVa]

Nope, never in a million years or all the money in the world could you get me to do Fred's job. Not only is he part-acrobat/athlete, he is also part-engineer/artisan. I couldn't do it, not for a minute. In fact, if someone came up to me and said "Climb that chimney or I'll shoot you dead", I'd say "Against which wall do you want me to stand?".

[@james5553]

Time well spent watching this, reminds me of working on tall ships. Despite being terrified of heights I eventually managed to make the top of the main mast but was far from comfortable. I don’t think you would find many people willing to do this these days.

[@broncogaming7216]

Science James what ship were you on

[@bg147]

I love his sense of humor. Never in a million years would I have learned about this if it weren't for this video. I just assumed you would use a bucket truck or a scaffolding to do whatever he is going to do.

[@davidirvine5670]

On one of of the constructiob he built high in the air he said "you could ride a bicycle around here"

[@danielmarsden777]

When my head needs a bit of grounding about working in the trade, Fred Dibnah never fails to put things back in perspective. I watch in awe of his technical experience and his workmanship. Thank you Fred 🙏🏻 rest in peace.

[@Oakleaf700]

One Sunday morning, Earlyish, I heard a commotion, a rattling rumbling....and a Traction Engine and wagon came thundering by {Past Temple Meads Station and towards Old Market, Bristol. I turned to gawk, and it was Fred, Rag in hand driving it. It must have been towards the end of his life... a great sound and sight. 👍