Will look forward to visiting this year. Met Fred in the early 90's and asked him about his 'trip' on the Big One in Blackpool - shall never forget his reply and his humour - a great man.
Welcome to the Forum. Here you can share your memories of Fred and how he brought his World to your TV. Perhaps you met him in person, perhaps you have never met him and want to tour the yard in the future? Leave your comments for all to see! Please keep your comments to the point, mind your language and respect the view's of others. Thank you.
Comments
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(Posted on 2010-02-24 11:07:00 by )
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I remember when Fred first came on TV and was gobsmacked. Here was a man one could easily understand and who went places I would never go. People forget too easily how dangerous his job was.
If people ask what it is to be English then they need look no further than Fred. RIP Fred and thanks for all the chuckles. Much affection Damian
(Posted on 2010-02-19 09:53:00 by ) -
it really sucks to know that people damaged, ransacked and removed things from the house.
you would have thought that freds sons would have kept the house in the family and lived in it though
(Posted on 2010-02-10 12:13:00 by ) -
Well done leon for getting fred,s house on the road to recovery.Fred was a proud man and would hate to see his house in the state it was.But now people like you are restoring it to how it used to be when fred lived there i,m sure he would be looking down and saying"aye i like that".Again well done leon you have my full support.
(Posted on 2010-02-09 12:06:00 by ) -
Well Done!
As always if you need anything drop me a line!
Andy
(Posted on 2010-02-04 20:30:00 by ) -
Well done you lot. Seems like things they are a rollin!
If you want me to come up and put some boring old Elf 'N' Safety documentation together give us a yell and I will sling me old caravan on the back of me white van and pop up again!
(Posted on 2010-02-02 22:16:00 by ) -
hello,
I have only just discovered Fred's legacy via You tube during a quiet day at work. What a legendary character!
The more I look for info on him , the more I find. It's a pity the local TV didn't have him on, I love the shows.
I am bringing my father across the the Uk around the time of the isle of man TT races, and we'll be dropping in for a gander............He'll love it.
Cheers 'till then ..........Jim.
(Shipwreck Coast) Warrnambool, Victoria , Australia.
(Posted on 2010-01-20 10:28:00 by ) -
Thank you all for your good wishes, we cant believe we have actually done it, I have to keep pinching myself, Now the next hard job begins, raising the funds to enable us to do everything that needs to be done.
Please watch this website for exciting news about our first fantastic campaign that will be announced in the next couple of days.
best wishes to you all and look forward to seeing you here
kindest regards Leon and Jan
(Posted on 2010-01-20 12:35:00 by ) -
Dear Leon and family just seen the fantastic news. Congratulations to you all. A well deserved result. We look forward to seeing you all again in the near future. Best wishes Trevor and Chris.
(Posted on 2010-01-19 20:14:00 by ) -
Nice one folks!
Can't believe that Fred's gaff had been allowed to fall into such a state to be honest, so fair play to you all for getting the project up & running. I'll be there on the opening day!
Paul W.
(Posted on 2010-01-19 14:08:00 by ) -
Congratulations on obtaining planning permission and good luck for the future. We note from this evening's Granada ReportsTV programme, that you will be opening to the public from April 28th onwards. We will be organising a rideout and visit for our membership once we have finalised a date within our Calendar for this year.
Regards,
The Admin Team
Wirral Bikers Motorcycle Club
(Posted on 2010-01-19 12:30:00 by ) -
Well done on getting the planning permission, just had a look at your wish list, a lot to do and needed to get it all up and running, i wish you luck. i know i could sort out most of the machinery and free it up but it's a pity i live so far away, Fingers crossed that someone out there comes up with the money you need.Darren,Cornwall
(Posted on 2010-01-16 19:57:00 by ) -
hi leon and jan,
congrats..and well done to both of you for all the hard work you have put in
the dream can now be fulfilled.
Best wishes Baz
(Posted on 2010-01-16 13:24:00 by ) -
Dear Leon & Jan,
Many, many congratulations to you both, on getting the planning permission. Your hard work has paid off and you have achieved something really special, in saving this important place for future generations. Look forward to visiting one day. Good luck with all that now needs to be done.
Richard Turner, Southend On Sea.,Essex
(Posted on 2010-01-15 17:37:00 by ) -
Well done to my Mum and Dad, we are so proud of what you have achieved so far and now you can turn your hopes and dreams into reality, lots of love, Mark, Nicola and Samuel xxx
(Posted on 2010-01-15 12:13:00 by ) -
Just to say a huge congratulations. I am so pleased all of your hard work has finally paid off. Can't wait to get involved in the fundraising so we can see Fred's place back to how left it!
James.
(Posted on 2010-01-15 08:58:00 by ) -
Hi Guys,
A big 'Well Done' for all you've achieved. I first met Fred when I was 15 and I'm now 41, and I have followed his life & work very closely. It will be great boon for Bolton & the surrounding areas to have this Heritage Centre. I'm a member of Wigan Ukulele Club, and if you're ever after any entertainment for a fund raising event or whatever, we would be very proud to play a small part in your fund raising plans. We could perform for a couple of hours, we play Lancashire songs, George Formby Songs up to date songs...even a Fred Song!! Have a look at the website www.wiganukuleleclub.co.uk or www.myspace.com/wiganukuleleclub for more details.
Congratulations once again, and all the best for the future.
Kind Regards
Tim Cooke
(Posted on 2010-01-15 12:15:00 by ) -
Wow I cant believe its actually happened, I am elated, I cannot thank those who have supported us enough, I have loads and loads to do now, including contacting everybody to personally thank you all, if I dont get to you quickly enough please forgive me.
Its full steam ahead now, WATCH THIS SPACE.
Once again thank you for your brilliant support, now lets get on with making Freds dream come true.
kindest regards Leon and Jan
(Posted on 2010-01-14 18:39:00 by ) -
Just read Rebecca's message and it looks like congratulations are in order! Well done! Alan Jones.
(Posted on 2010-01-14 15:51:00 by ) -
Congratulations on winning the planning!!!!!!! Well done dad, you deserve it through all your hard work and thank you to everyone who has helped support us! When's the party?! ;0)
(Posted on 2010-01-14 15:42:00 by ) -
Best of luck for tomorrow, got everything crossed for you.
James.
(Posted on 2010-01-13 21:02:00 by ) -
aaarrrggghh planning meeting has been put back to the 14th Jan due to the extreme weather, wish us luck, cheers everybody hope you are not all too snowed in.
(Posted on 2010-01-05 20:22:00 by ) -
Many thanks to all you fred fans out there for your support so far, we have one more hurdle to jump on the 7th and if we are successful then its "FULL STEAM AHEAD" pardon the pun, we have some fantastic fund raising campaigns planned to make sure this wonderful place gets fettled and remains in safe hands, so dont forget to email us with your contact details so we can keep you up to date, meanwhile we hope you all have a great new year.
kindest regards Leon and Jan
(Posted on 2009-12-31 16:39:00 by ) -
Dear Mr Powsney,
I have just found out that you have aquired Freds house and yard, and intend to turn it in to a heritage centre. This is absolutely fantastic news. I am a massive Fred Dibnah fan, and was very lucky to meet him twice. Once at the East Lancashire Railway, for a steam anniversary, and once at the Cliffs Pavillion, Southend On Sea , where he gave a talk. He was brilliant, and his stories were facinating, as well as taking the time to talk to his fans afterwards.
I am so glad you have saved this important piece of British industrial history for the nation. It is such a shame that the house was broken in to and many important items taken. Fred is one the reasons why all my hobbies revolve around Steam Railways, and industrial history. He was such an inspiration.
Fred was a wonderfull man, a true british hero. I wish you and your wife all the best luck in getting the heritage centre going, and i will certainly be visiting it, and help where i can.
Yours Sincerely
Richard Turner Southend On Sea ESSEX Well Done
(Posted on 2009-12-31 12:03:00 by ) -
Phew this has been hard going, we have jumped through so many hoops and gone out of our way to comply with every obstacle that has been put before us, I cannot believe it can be this hard to have a brilliant mans lifetimes work recognised by the very town that hails him as a hero and has a statue of him in the town centre , and all because of just a couple of spiteful habitual objectors, with totally groundless vexatious objections.
Oh well, we will know on 7th Jan 2010 at the next council meeting whether we have been successfull, in the meantime we wish all our supporters a very merry christmas and a happy and prosperous new year.
fom Leon and Jan
ps if any supporters are on facebook or twitter please let us know be email.
(Posted on 2009-12-18 08:01:00 by ) -
Keep fighting both of you, the support of 99.99% of people is with you. It is a shame some sad pathetic jealous individuals can not find somthing better to do with their time. As you say everything Fred tried to do was apposed by the same person. Sad, very sad indeed.
Enjoy Christmas, Regards, James.
(Posted on 2009-12-13 21:19:00 by ) -
Sorry guys the planning meeting was a little disappointing as there seems to be a problem convincing the councillors that there are ample parking facilities immediately outside our premises and in the immediate vicinty, I am currently dealing with the council on the matter and hope to resolve it very soon. It is extremely frustrating, the main objector a mr D Summers from 112 Castle street, seems to have taken it on himself to object at every meeting and he is nitpicking to a ridiculous level, and coming up with ludicrous suggestions, If you go on to the planning website you will see what I mean, I am told he objected to everything Fred ever wanted to do, I suspect from jealousy, the phrase "fly in the ointment" comes to mind, he walked out of the meeting with a nasty smirk on his face, oh well it takes all sorts I suppose and when we go public I dont think he will be very popular. I will keep you posted.
Best wishes for christmas to you all
Leon & Jan
(Posted on 2009-12-12 23:52:00 by ) -
Hi there Leon & Jan
Did you get the permission ?
Can not find anything on Google about it :-(
Mike
XX
(Posted on 2009-12-11 10:23:00 by ) -
?????????????????
Can you let us know as soon as???????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Posted on 2009-12-10 18:56:00 by ) -
best of luck for tomorows decision leon, hopefully all your hard work will be rewarded with the right outcome..
Baz lewis
(Posted on 2009-12-09 22:11:00 by ) -
Hi guys well its the council planning commitee meeting tomorrow the 10th dec. and we will finally get to know the decision whether we can go ahead with the heritage centre, and immortalise Freds lifetimes work, its been a loooong hard road with unbelievable opposition from a hard core handful of neighbours who i believe will stop at nothing to prevent us from our aims, however i believe this was meant to be and fingers crossed we will be successful, wish us luck and watch this space.
Many thanks to all our supporters and hopefully its onwards and upwards.
(Posted on 2009-12-09 08:39:00 by ) -
Fred Dibnah! I love that name. When I say the name Fred Dibnah I am always reminded of what he has done for me. I am twenty years old. People my age think they cannot survive without mobile phones and track suits. But when I discoverd Fred Dibnah, tragically just after he went to meet his hero Brunel, I also discovered my passions and what I believe in. The very first time I saw Fred on television I was drawn to him. He took me in and I never wanted to leave. He introduced me to all the things I didn't yet know I believed in.
Fred Dibnah was a very clever man. He was self-taught, self-educated, believed in himself and he never gave in. I try to be the same.
All of these young hooligans should have a little peek into the world of Fred Dibnah and maybe they would discover how clever they can be.
Fred once said that he believed in God. I believe in Fred Dibnah!
Thank You
(Posted on 2009-11-28 02:02:00 by ) -
hi and once again thanks for your kind words of encouragement guys, i am sure we are nearly there, but we have one heck of a lot of work to do, and we desperately need to start raising funds, have you seen the "FRED" statuettes we have for sale on the site, by buying one of these you will have a fantastic LIMITED EDITION collectors item and you will be helping us to raise funds to get the show on the road. So come on guys lets see some real support, what a fantastic christmas present these will make for a "FRED" fan.
If any visitors to the forum or the website would care to email us at freddibnahtours@live.com we will try to keep you up to date with developments and fund raising idea's
many thanks Leon
remember thats ; freddibnahtours@live.com
(Posted on 2009-11-08 10:05:00 by ) -
It is sad when something like this is left to perish because of silly in-fighting by the families of the departed. I very nearly bought a cap today and had I done so, I would have taken it off to you for taking on such a mammoth task.
I think it's disgusting that so much lottery funding goes on so called "heritage" which is contrived and artificial but rarely goes to stuff that is worthwhile. Fred's workshop was just that, a real working steam workshop which probably annoyed the HSE no end but so what? I doubt he'd of cared about men from the bloody ministry in bowler hats and Mk10 Jags
If the do gooders and cotton woolers of today had been in charge 200 years ago, we'd have had no industrial revolution and where would we be then?
Again, congratulations to you and I hope you succeed in not only annoying the council but keeping Fred alive through his engineering. It what he would have wanted
He was always proud of the fact that the neighbours are quiet enough
(Posted on 2009-11-07 23:33:00 by ) -
Hi all,
Im sure everything will work out in the end, it will be a great centre for many years to come.
I never met Fred, wish I did, but I have a nice picture of the great man with his autograph on the top I will tresure that forever hanging on my wall.
Caps of to you and your wife for what you have done to the place, I hope to see it some day, its not that far from Liverpool.
All the best for the future,
And Thankyou for what you are doing there, Fred will be looking down on you with a big smile and donning his cap to you both (I like tha)
Kevin Dwyer, Liverpool.
(Posted on 2009-11-07 01:27:00 by ) -
Hi guys many thanks for your kind words of encouragement, we have not given up, quite the opposite this has made us even more determined ( not that we were not determined before) but we are currently dealing with the queries brought up by the planning dept. and our friendly neighbours ( i use the word friendly with tongue in cheek ) and will do everything in our power to make sure this is a success. should we obtain consent we welcome all idea's on fund raising to get the show on the road.
kindest regards Leon
(Posted on 2009-11-04 21:19:00 by ) -
Hi Leon & Jan,
Was really sorry to hear about the planning delay, even more so after being thereon open night and seeing that cars did not cause a problem to anyone!
please don't give up, there is an army off Fred fan's and admirers willing for the plans to become reality.
Best wishes,
James.
(Posted on 2009-11-02 19:53:00 by ) -
Hi ian and jan,
sorry to hear the planning decision has been postponed.but at least it wasnt a no, hopefully the issues will be sorted and all your hard work will be rewarded with the result we all want, so good luck and we are all behind you with fingers crossed.
all the best
baz lewis
(Posted on 2009-10-30 17:49:00 by )
THE FRED DIBNAH HERITAGE CENTRE
Hi guys if any of you are on twitter can you look me up, I am new to twitter and am hoping to build a following up quickly to help our campaign, you can see the link on each web page, so come on guys and gals lets get the show on the road. I am just putting the final tweaks to our fund raising campaign and wil hopefully be starting it this week, its been a nightmare getting everything in place.
Best wishes to you all
Leon