Human physical and mental hardness is on well display with this man. To have that, along with such a casual attitude towards his extremely dangerous job, is awe inspiring to me. Another tragic victim of cancer. Possibly due to the toxic chemicals he was exposed to with the destruction of these textile mills which notoriously generated carcinogens.
Imagine today he could order a cup of tea and a cheese butty on deliveroo! But knowing Fred he wouldn't want anything other than what his misses made in the morning
I watched this on tv in 1979 .i just started work in the construction industry. When ever i looked to an example to aspire to it was always him, even to this day and for always this bloke is my hero.
Who else, in the comfort of their chair in front of their computer screen safe and secure in their home, felt their anal sphincter go into spasm when the inimitable Fred climbed that last ladder on to to top of the chimney. The man was and still remains a national treasure.
When they talk about bravery and stoicism and British patriotism, I look up to Fred and in my humble opinion whoever you are wherever you are it is absolutely amazing.🇬🇧🏴🇬🇧
You don’t see working men like this anymore. Mild concern for the environment, whether it be snow, rain, sleet, or shine, it’s all just a concern of remark because the work gets done regardless. I try to emulate it as a young lad in the year 2022. We need people like this.
No 'Health & Safety' regs for Fred ... His idea of 'safety' was wrapping a leg around the top of a ladder 200+ feet off the ground ... Met him when I was a kid, he was putting new lightning rods on top of the chimney of the pit I lived across from. He put all the ladders up himself, then came down & went to the pub next food for a bite ... Wined n dined, up he went lol ... Insane bloke !!!
The days before safety regulations . Remember this when I was only 9 , brilliant to see it again . Can’t believe I found this . No harness , how things have changed . Can’t help that think we’ve lost our best people along the way .
That statement was brilliant if you fall it’s half a day out with the undertaker. More like a council guy turns up with a hose, scraper and a bin bag. he’s takes about 30 seconds to wash you away. Health and safety wasn’t even a thing in 79. My biggest fear is heights so my respect for these type of workers is so high. No joke intended
Fred goes about his business as if it was all taking place on the ground. No tether, no gloves, scrambles onto the scaffold, then casually back on down for a cup of tea at break time. As he said, gets a bit lonely up there, but once in a while one of his mates comes round for a chat. I assume he means the mate climbs up too, just to have a look round and have a chat. These blokes were a different breed, whose DNA runs deep in the British bloodlines. No wonder Hitler and the Nazis couldn't get Britain to surrender during the Blitz. The whole world could use a bit of that resolution these days. Let's carry on and not give in.
Amazing man and in those daze they didn't even use safety lines. You should see how he put those ladders up one by one. Just unbelieveable! And what shocked me he even leans backwards to go around obstacles. Blew my mind! I get dizzy just going up a step ladder.
My uncle used to have cheese every day about an inch thick on a plain or Scottish loaf and he used to tell his workmates his wife made it and he hated chrese
Ahhhhh! The staging is attached to the chimney he is knocking down, One brick too many and the lot might fall down. All the cracks in the chimney on the way up. Ahhhhh! I wouldn't do it for £7, 000,000.
This is amazing story. However, I am also amazed by the work of an unnamed person. Who filmed Fred at the top? Don't think there were mini-cams in those days.
It looks like the cameraman for the chimney-top shots was Martin Lightening - who'd climb the same ladders as Fred whilst carrying his 16mm Arriflex camera! The sound recorderist also apparently climbed up with his equipment. Another site lists camerman Arthur Smith too (assisted by his son Howard or by Dave Horsfield), and mentions the sound recorderist's name as Jack Wilson.
After watching this I’m intrigued as to how the guys who built these chimneys did it. How did they carry all those bricks and mortar up there? How long did it take to build them? Intriguing!
Fred took that chimney down for approx. 45 thousand pounds in ''today's money''. Could times that amount by ten, tax-free. and I still couldn't get above the second ladder.
''I've never fallen of a big chimney, you only fall of them once🤣🤣
Eye, just like end of world.
In some cases, you can fall from a 300 meter chimney, fall from the 5 meter zone:)
It’ll be half a day with the undertaker
Off to 🇬🇧
@@loveistheanswer8137 same with Lattice Climbing, no cance with electricity
Human physical and mental hardness is on well display with this man. To have that, along with such a casual attitude towards his extremely dangerous job, is awe inspiring to me. Another tragic victim of cancer. Possibly due to the toxic chemicals he was exposed to with the destruction of these textile mills which notoriously generated carcinogens.
Climbs down for a cup of tea and a sandwich and then back up again,what a man he was.
Eating white bread with black hands.
@@garibaldi54 Adds to the flavour
Imagine today he could order a cup of tea and a cheese butty on deliveroo! But knowing Fred he wouldn't want anything other than what his misses made in the morning
they could deliver it by drone too!@@markthomas919
Few pints as well.
£7,000 to knock the Chimney down, I wouldn't climb up there and knock it down for £7m ..........What a Man Fred was .
One of the few who got a glimpse of heaven before he got there. R.I.P. Fred from across the pond!
I watched this on tv in 1979 .i just started work in the construction industry. When ever i looked to an example to aspire to it was always him, even to this day and for always this bloke is my hero.
I’m the same... though being honest ... I could never climb those ladders like him... that takes a special sort
Example to aspire to - very good, I see what you did there
Does it change your mind that this bloke went to prison for rape of child?
@@lakerfan82k3 no he didn’t you rat!
I work in construction myself as a shuttering carpenter. What and how much were you earning?
Who else, in the comfort of their chair in front of their computer screen safe and secure in their home, felt their anal sphincter go into spasm when the inimitable Fred climbed that last ladder on to to top of the chimney. The man was and still remains a national treasure.
Yes, the steeplejack trade has become safer for a reason.
That's one hell of a man!! You've gotten my highest respect!!
This man is my hero much love from a Southern American man , wishing things where as simple as way back when 😢
Fred was a great bloke,a proper working class British man with a big personality and a big heart.☺️
An heroic figure. Just a legendary level of nonchalance.
When they talk about bravery and stoicism and British patriotism, I look up to Fred and in my humble opinion whoever you are wherever you are it is absolutely amazing.🇬🇧🏴🇬🇧
Cheers mate
You don’t see working men like this anymore. Mild concern for the environment, whether it be snow, rain, sleet, or shine, it’s all just a concern of remark because the work gets done regardless. I try to emulate it as a young lad in the year 2022. We need people like this.
what an absolute legend
No 'Health & Safety' regs for Fred ... His idea of 'safety' was wrapping a leg around the top of a ladder 200+ feet off the ground ... Met him when I was a kid, he was putting new lightning rods on top of the chimney of the pit I lived across from. He put all the ladders up himself, then came down & went to the pub next food for a bite ... Wined n dined, up he went lol ... Insane bloke !!!
Imagine getting up there and forgetting your hammer
The days before safety regulations . Remember this when I was only 9 , brilliant to see it again . Can’t believe I found this . No harness , how things have changed . Can’t help that think we’ve lost our best people along the way .
Maybe or the bad ones survived more ;)
Today, china, india, pakistan, bangladesh, quatar and more countrys are a lot worser
A good hard working fella! He is matter of fact guy, no mucking about here. Have a big plate of steak and chips after a day! Love the accent.
£7000 to take a chimney down by hammer and chisel just mind boggling
Well to be fair it is $45, 211.73 (£32, 603.45) in today’s money soo..
@@myluckysuperegg8989 more like to be around £51,880.00 labour project worth
@@omegadecisive well i just converted the money into what the amount would be today fyi
My folks bought our family home, a run down four bed detached house, for 3k in 1975.
The award for BIGGESTBALLSEVER goes to Fred. Jesus Christ ha
That statement was brilliant if you fall it’s half a day out with the undertaker. More like a council guy turns up with a hose, scraper and a bin bag. he’s takes about 30 seconds to wash you away. Health and safety wasn’t even a thing in 79. My biggest fear is heights so my respect for these type of workers is so high. No joke intended
My uncle Patrick was one of these Heros, back in the late fiftys, sixtys.
RIP Fred...legend
£7000 today is just under £25,000 . Fred earned every penny.
How long did it take?
I thought it would be a lot more than that.
@@baase89 I couldn't have done it no matter how much i was offered .
Fred goes about his business as if it was all taking place on the ground. No tether, no gloves, scrambles onto the scaffold, then casually back on down for a cup of tea at break time. As he said, gets a bit lonely up there, but once in a while one of his mates comes round for a chat. I assume he means the mate climbs up too, just to have a look round and have a chat. These blokes were a different breed, whose DNA runs deep in the British bloodlines. No wonder Hitler and the Nazis couldn't get Britain to surrender during the Blitz. The whole world could use a bit of that resolution these days. Let's carry on and not give in.
Agreed. I'm sickened to observe the UK now and the spineless vermin who inhabit it..
@@shabbos-goy9407 Ireland gone the same way. Sold out by our leaders
@@irishninja2009 All is lost unfortunately....
This man literally moves mountains
what a lovely man Fred was with his love and respect for all his work. many blessings and love from all. God bless you 🙏
Health & safety now a days would have a heart attack at him at 2.50 😂😂
He makes a mockery of health and safety 😋
Well, you only fall off once. OSHA wants to make sure that never happens to anyone
I nearly had a heart attack myself.
@@jogmas12 Because back then many fell and died.
Even if the sun was shining and 30 degrees Fred I am not going up there😂r.I.p Fred your a star💫
Amazing man and in those daze they didn't even use safety lines. You should see how he put those ladders up one by one. Just unbelieveable! And what shocked me he even leans backwards to go around obstacles. Blew my mind! I get dizzy just going up a step ladder.
Seen them laddering abig chimney here in Scotland and there was 6, of em ,, 😳 Fred did it with just him and an older guy 👍,
£7000 in 1979 is £41,000 in 2022. This is about $50k American and $70k Australian.
What a man - Fred RIP
You wouldn't get me up there for all the money in the world.
Fred Dinner was a rare breed with nerves of steel .
Fred once dropped a sandwich and when he came down it was toast 😅😅😊
The last of the great Britons. One of a kind
Thanks Jan&Olli
Awesome amazing beautiful people amazing beautiful places
Probably earned about a tenth or less of a city trader, but was 20 times the man of one.
200 times
Cheese butties again 👍
My uncle used to have cheese every day about an inch thick on a plain or Scottish loaf and he used to tell his workmates his wife made it and he hated chrese
The way he throws his bifter down pmsl
Amazing he could climb that ladder with balls that heavy (made of steel). What a legend!
I wouldn't climb that thing even if you offered me £100m
'A brick at once'. For those that don't speak Lancastrian that's one brick at a time.
Cheese and brick dust sandwiches, no washing your hands.
Bless him and all his mates.
No no, bless all the mandem and roadmen selling weed
@@blacklivesmatter2083 ??
Did he come down for lunch & then climb back up again?
If so, what a hard man.
billycromwell1690 - that’s just ridiculous isn’t it??
Coming down for lunch??
billycromwell1690 - the bit at the very top where he has to kind of climb onto the planks - I would shit myself if I made it that far... craziness
billycromwell1690 - absolutely.. the guy was incredible. To erect scaffolding that high is just amazing.. especially on your own.
Maybe he needed to use the restroom as well.
@@rapskallion he can piss from the top of the world
This chap literary invented what the kids do today call rooftopping, but got paid for it! For his age he must have been strong both in body and mind!
no one called it that
@@cryfargamingnanan4772 are you Welsh?
Someone once asked Donald (His man at the bottom) Has Fred ever fallen off, and he said "Yeah but I caught him"
Ahhhhh! The staging is attached to the chimney he is knocking down, One brick too many and the lot might fall down. All the cracks in the chimney on the way up. Ahhhhh! I wouldn't do it for £7, 000,000.
I wish we could have seen Fred finishing this job l bet Fred was happy after he finished this job 😊
Thanks for uploading these. Myself and friends have enjoyed these.
NO WORKING FROM HOME HERE.
I miss this legend ❤❤❤❤
Incredible to watch. I came here from The doghouse.
I watch this before I climb up my on my roof
Fred dibnah British legend 🇬🇧🇬🇧💪💪❤❤
I just looked it up. 7000 pounds in 1979 is the same as 44,000 pounds today.
This is amazing story. However, I am also amazed by the work of an unnamed person. Who filmed Fred at the top? Don't think there were mini-cams in those days.
It looks like the cameraman for the chimney-top shots was Martin Lightening - who'd climb the same ladders as Fred whilst carrying his 16mm Arriflex camera! The sound recorderist also apparently climbed up with his equipment. Another site lists camerman Arthur Smith too (assisted by his son Howard or by Dave Horsfield), and mentions the sound recorderist's name as Jack Wilson.
discovered this on tiktok. amazing.
You need a smack of Fred's hammer, tiktok for fuck sake will you man up
As a Lattice Climber, love it to watch it.
Brilliant idea 💡 cup off tea
At 3.00 minutes. Omfg. I probably would have gone head first down the middle of the chimney.
After watching this I’m intrigued as to how the guys who built these chimneys did it. How did they carry all those bricks and mortar up there? How long did it take to build them? Intriguing!
Floor up Gary inside a portable wooden scaffold. Took forever tbh
@@johnathanryan2117its good to know all of that hard work has mostly been deconstructed, ugly things they are
@@Austiin_vdw perhaps from our point of view, but cant deny they were built for a specific purpose and it took some skill to build one.
@@johnathanryan2117 fair point, i am just glad most of them are gone now. even if the industrialism has only been outsourced to asia and america
@@Austiin_vdw just because it's an eyesore or any other reasons?
Brave man - RIP Fred
Absolutely fantastic imagine what the health and safety executive would say now
Legend 👌🏻
I love this guy🎉🎉🎉
He would be famous today 🎉
The bit when he gets to top.
Proper grafters this generation, different breed👏🏻👊
What a guy ya knaw, climb up chimney ya knaw don't forget hammer ya knaw and dawnt fall down ya knaw. Tis bledy windy ya knaw.
The one he takes Down with the wooden logs at the bottom off it sets then on fire lol
He's 200 foot in the air, but his bollocks are still dragging on the tarmac below.
I think Donald's got the right idea
when men where men as my dad used to say,fred was health an safety mans wet dream 😂😂
i was just thinking "there's no way you can drink at all doing a job like this", even on your free time, and then he confirms it around 7:10
What a guy!
They don’t make men like Fred anymore unfortunately 🙏🏻
Who was his camera man? I’m suprised he could get up there with all his equipment and the size of his bollox
He got balls old Fred believe it
Why was Fred dibstering about in a little girl's bedroom & what was she doing keeping a drilling machine in there?
Haha!
What a great generation! What’s gone wrong 😑
Well do we need steeple jacks anymore?
WOW, WOW ,WOW. I'd want 7000 pound just to climb up... Champion Fred👍
I can't get up a stepladder into the attic, watching Fred nearly makes me faint 🤢🤢
And not even a pair or work gloves handling all those bricks. My hands would be toast after 2 days of this nonsense.
What a champion…..!!!!
I wonder what kind of camera the cameraman was using? Props to the cameraman that climbed and filmed him working up there.
would have had a lifting crane
@@philipstevenson5166 nope. Cameraman went up with him
@@charleyatkins9094 Don't buy that. Camera angles and frame size say the're taken from a distance.
How long did it take him finish? What a daunting task with hammer and chisel.
I read somewhere that it took him five months
The man had balls of steal absolute legend
Brick by brick.... Sounds like torture
Mad
Is there a full program, did he ever get it all knocked down?.
Yeah he did get the job finished. Took him five months. A bridge between the two mills where the chimney once stood is there now.
Great guy don't know how this wife put up with him they had a long marriage great at his job
Talk about eating an elephant one bite at a time! And I bet I know where he relieves himself up there
Probably straight down the chimney.
Fred took that chimney down for approx. 45 thousand pounds in ''today's money''. Could times that amount by ten, tax-free. and I still couldn't get above the second ladder.
Chuck Norris has seen this video and shit himself…
God bless the true Mate.
Back when Work Heath and Safety didn't exist
3.15 puts the fear of God in me......
Does anyone know how they got the cameras to the top of the chimney? And how they mic’d him up for the climb?