In September for a couple of days we had the company of local lad Andy Bannister, who had recently retired from working for Uttlesford Council in Saffron Walden. We have been sweeping Andy’s chimney in Radwinter for a good few years and he had always spoke of the possibility of taking up chimney sweeping when he retired. So, on a couple of days Andy came out with us to get an idea of whether he would actually like or be any good at the job. In two days, he saw most types of sweeping jobs and experienced the best and worst of days sweeping.

On the first day it was warm and pleasantly sunny, and we spent the day sweeping in and around Kedington, Hundon, Clare, Stoke-By-Clare and Cavendish all of which is quite picturesque. On the second day it rained heavily all day, and we had a flat tire which we had to change in the rain which put us behind our time for the whole day. We got around in the end though!

All said and done, Andy said that he enjoyed chimney sweeping and would seriously consider taking it up. He appeared to me to have all the right qualities for the job, he is practically minded and he was very good with the customers, chatting with them and putting them at their ease. In the meantime, Andy has found a driving job for Burtons Butchers in Saffron Walden and seems happy doing that for the time being. But you never know, some time in the future he may decide to become a chimney sweep!