Recently we traveled down to Waltham Abbey to sweep the chimney at the Rectory in Highbridge Street. The rectory sits right next door to the tower of the abbey in a rather dramatic position. It is a notable heritage property and is Grade II* Listed Building: Listing No: 1124127, Date listed: 03 Feb 1971. There was one open fire chimney to sweep. This was of inglenook size but with a small more modern opening.
British listed buildings notes that the rectory is: Late C16 or early C17 L-shaped building. 2 storeys and attic, 3 windows. High pitched roof, renewed tiles, gabled at left and with projecting section under gable at right. 1 original and 1 renewed brick chimney. 2 later, flat headed dormers stuccoed walls. Sash windows (some renewed) with glazing bars in near flush, moulded frames. Ground floor windows have old external shutters. Projecting ground-floor section within the L has early C19 entrance porch with square wood columns, cornice hood and trellised side. Door has 2 glazed panels above and rusticated panels below. Reeded architrave. 2 round-headed late C18 windows at back, one, in gabled extension, has patterned radial head which may have been a door fanlight. Joseph Hall, afterwards Bishop of Exeter and Norwich, lived here 16l2-34. Thomas Fuller, cleric and historian, lived here 1649-57. Graded partly for historic interest.


My name is Paddy McKeown, I am a retired police officer (Detective Sergeant – Metropolitan Police), turned chimney sweep. I have completed training with ‘The Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps’, and Rod Tech UK (Power Sweeping).



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