The Last Climbing Boy

Jessy Woodburn contacted the BLHS on behalf of the Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps with a story of real significance that she hopes will be of interest to us.

 

"Earlier this year, the Guild commissioned a short (7-minute) film to document the last climbing boy, George Brewster 1863 - 1875, becoming the country's youngest recipient of a Blue Plaque. George suffocated after becoming stuck in a boiler flue at Fulbourn Hospital, Cambridge, which at the time was the local paupers' asylum. He was just eleven years old. His death came at a time when people were re-evaluating child labour and the role of children in society and became the catalyst for the Chimney Sweepers Act which banned the use of children as sweeps in England. 

 

Here at the Guild, we are very keen to spread George's story and have made our film downloadable, free of charge, for anybody. You are free to play, host, publish or link to it as you wish. The film is hosted on Vimeo and can be accessed here:

 

https://www.findachimneysweep.co.uk/the-last-climbing-boy/

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Additional material can be found here:

 

Joanna Hudson - The Story of George Brewster

 

We hope you and your group find the story of George Brewster, the civic protections that came after his death, and the erection of the Blue Plaque at Fulbourn Hospital of real interest, and please do get back to us if you have any questions".