A Craftsman At Work

We already knew that Barry Chislett-Bruce of New Forest Chimney Sweeping & Repairs is a first class, painstaking, craftsman. In the link above Barry and his son, Owen, are shown sweeping the chimney behind the fireplace they installed for us.

The Velux kitchen window has leaked ever since we moved in five and a half years ago. Three other tradesmen have failed to fix the problem. Had I known that this was an issue with which Barry was familiar and experienced I would have asked him first. Today he began working on the job in bright sunshine and continued as the skies darkened in preparation for more heavy rains.

I photographed the man at work today. Rain or shine he will return tomorrow to complete the task.

After his return home our friend sent me bird’s eye view  images of his work. Having removed studs that no-one else had ever looked at, he lifted a section of the frame and used a thick fabric to draw out a significant pocket of water. He brought down this swab and wrung it out over the kitchen sink. This was not merely resulting from recent rain.

Other photographs show the careful lead work at various stages, both while the sun still shone, and later, by which time light rain had begun to speckle the glass.

Barry also sent signs that he had probably enjoyed his mugs of tea, although he had had the temerity to opine that Jackie’s brew was better than mine.

This evening we dined on minted lamb burgers; sautéed new potatoes; and vibrantly hued orange carrots. green beans and sprouting broccoli, with which I finished the Cotes du Bourg. Jackie had finished her Hoegaarden beforehand.

59 comments

      1. Wow, that is a memory nudge. My dad always wore a tie right up until he died, he said he wouldn’t let standards slip. I have been retired for nine years and only wear a tie at weddings and funerals!

  1. To install the skylight right way is very professional job and person who does it must have special skills and experience. Otherwise the leakage is guaranteed. Lucky you, Derrick, to find the right person.

  2. No pressure Barry! I remember being very impressed with the standards shown on the chimney cleaning procedure – this is a real old-fashioned tradesman and you are very lucky to have him. You must up your game Derrick and make him a really superb cuppa!!

  3. It would be fun to talk with Barry and compare notes. His work with your windows and skylights certainly is akin to the work I’ve done with hatches on boats. As in most work of this sort, good preparation and absolute attention to detail will carry you a good way. You’re lucky to have found him.

  4. What a craftsman! Won’t it be great to have a Velux without a leak? My father was a cabinet maker and continued working until just a few months before he died. He always wore a tie which was a worry at times, especially when he was using powerful machinery!

  5. He seems to be an honorable and skilled craftsman! I am also glad that that you show appreciation – it seems decent and skilled folks are too often taken for granted. Thank you for sharing!

  6. YAY for Barry! What a wonderful craftsman and worker! You are fortunate to have him in your life!
    And I’m sure he is fortunate to have clients/customers like you and Jackie!
    Did Nugget try to help Barry? 😉
    I would give Barry a hug! If he’d let me! Yes, I hug anyone who will let me!)
    HUGS for you and Jackie!
    TWEETS for Nugget and Muggle!
    PS…your descriptions of your meals always make me smile…and hungry! 🙂

      1. HA! That made me snort-laugh! 😀
        I’m glad there are no worms on the roof! Worms freak me out a bit! 😮
        If there were…Nugget would be your Worm Removal Expert! 😉 😛

  7. I love the photographs of your very able handyman.
    My upstairs balcony doors began leaking a couple of years ago when they were just two years old. The contractor came back a couple of times but now ignores our calls. The heavy autumn rainfall hasn’t helped either.

  8. It’s comforting to know you can trust someone to do a good job on your house. Taking the time to capture and share photos of Barry’s conscientious work reinforces positive energy he put into the project.

  9. Oops! I should have read this post first. With the type of roof you have, I can see how it would take a high degree of skill to keep a roof window from leaking.

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