London

Sooty and sweep: Martin (left) and friend practise their brush stroke

The chimney sweep
Martin Glynn, 50, is the owner of BG Wright Master Sweep Services, which marries tradition and technology to clean London’s chimneys. Chimney sweeping emerged as a profession during the Industrial Revolution, when keeping flues unblocked was vital, and chimneys became big enough to climb into. Master sweeps would use small boys – often parish orphans – to carry out the cleaning. The London Society of Master Sweeps had its own set of rules, which included not making the boys work on the sabbath so that they could attend Sunday school. ‘I used to help my grandfather sweep chimneys when I was a boy. It’s a family trade and, as the eldest, I inherited the business.

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The days of Mary Poppins are gone, but we still push the soot up the chimney so that it pops out of the pot on to the roof. The Victorians used little boys who climbed up using their elbows and knees, but that was thankfully abolished in 1864. Lots of them died from the fumes and soot. Skin cancer around the testicles was a big problem because they didn’t wash the grime away, but if they survived to the age of 14, they usually became a sweep’s assistant or went into the military.

In Victorian times, the room used to be cleared before the sweep arrived, but people’s expectations are different today – they want to keep their TV and hi-fi where it is, so we use special vacuum-cleaners to clean the chimneys and devices for blocking the fireplace to keep the room clean.

‘I’ve found all sorts of things up chimneys, including letters to Santa Claus that never got burned, as well as squirrels, birds and bats – even sandwiches, a flask of tea and a pair of shoes.

‘It’s a tradition that it’s lucky to have a chimney sweep at your wedding and I attend about 30 a year, including one at St Paul’s Cathedral. I’m hoping that my son will follow in the business. He’s 11 and has come out with me on jobs, but to be honest, he’s wondering if there’s more money in playing for Chelsea.’

BG Wright Master Sweep Services, 11 Harvill Rd, Sidcup, Kent (020 8302 5468).