Fred Dibnah MBE (28 April 1938 – 6 November 2004), born in Bolton, Lancashire, was an English steeplejack, engineer and eccentric who became a television personality, a cult figure and, latterly, a national institution.
Fred Dibnah's rough-hewn Lancastrian manner (and his ever-present flat cap) belied his gentle, self-taught philosophical outlook. He went on to write and present a number of TV series, largely concerned with the Industrial Revolution and its mechanical and architectural legacy.
Dibnah was also an enthusiastic steam fan and owned an Aveling & Porter traction engine built in 1912 (Reg No: TA2436), and an Aveling & Porter Steam Roller "Betsy", (Reg No: DM3079), built in 1910.
He also maintained a fully steam-powered workshop in his back yard utilising old machines and tools otherwise destined for the scrapheap. On one occasion he remarked he always had steam up in his garden.
Fred Dibnah's house and work site
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