A Woman Sweeping in a Man’s World
When asked to conjure up the image of a chimney sweep, many of us picture Dick Van Dyke from the 1964 Disney Film Mary Poppins or perhaps young Victorian boys with soot caked faces.
In 2022, the chimney sweeping industry is changing and is much more complex than pushing a brush up a chimney – and it’s no longer just men who do it.
Niamh McGarrity is one of only 11 female Chimney Sweeps in Scotland, according to the Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps. Meaning women only represent seven per cent of the total membership. For 22-year-old Niamh, the only time she experiences uncertain comments is when meeting customers for the first time:
“I’ve been sweeping since I was 19, so occasionally a customer might comment on my age or offer to carry in my tools. I just laugh it off now; I suppose it is just rather unusual to see it, especially since I am still young. I always knew other people might think it was a bit strange, but I love the job, and what others think doesn’t bother me much.”
Niamh started her business ‘Queen Sweep’, which covers Glasgow and surrounding areas, in 2019 at only 19-years-old, making her the second-youngest chimney sweep in the UK to complete all the required training. After leaving school and going to college for a year, Niamh dropped out and initially worked full time as a Child Minder:
“I loved the job, but I just couldn’t see it progressing to a lifelong career; I was looking for something a bit different, and I knew I couldn’t work an office job. My dad is in the chimney-sweeping business, and he needed someone to help him with labour during his busy winter season.
“I decided to give it ago and earn some extra money while deciding whether to go back into education or change careers. Honestly, before I started, I wasn’t looking forward to it. It just worked out perfectly that I fell in love with the job.”
After deciding to change careers, Niamh gained experience on the job with a local chimney sweeping business – Able Sweep. She then completed the necessary training and exam in Aberdeen to become an accredited member of the Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps: “During my training in Aberdeen, I was aware that it was not common to be a woman in this industry.
“Some of the men on the course with me did seem shocked at first and frequently offered me an extra hand that they didn’t offer each other. It’s never said with malice, but it can get annoying. It can be challenging, and it is a very physical job, but most women are more than capable of doing the labour that is required. The dubious comments or jokes quickly end when people realise I am very knowledgeable and good at my job.”
Niamh is a supporter of the government endorsed BurnRight campaign launched in 2018: “The job is not what people think. I don’t just go and clean a flue; I also have to educate homeowners about the government push to stop pollution. All good sweeps will educate their customers on the most effective way to use their appliances, how to choose the right fuel and how they ultimately affect the air quality.”
Niamh encourages women not to sweep aside the more old-fashioned job, especially young women: “It is a very old trade, but it’s moving into the 21st century. Customers are often surprised when I turn up with cameras and CCTV rods to check structural integrity. It is funny when I find things like shoes and cloth inside old unused chimneys, which people stuffed them with centuries ago as they believed it helped keep away evil spirits and the devil.
“There are never two days the same, and that’s one of the reasons I love it so much. Being a woman in this industry is unique, and I have found it has positively affected my business. A lot of my customers are women, particularly women who live alone, and I think it makes them feel more comfortable.”
Many see Chimney sweeping as a dying trade, but it seems that with the skyrocketing energy costs, more people may take to the traditional way of heating their homes and, for Niamh, this means her business is busier than ever.
“I often take other out women out with me during busy times to help me labour. One of the women that comes on jobs with me is also now hoping to complete her training. So, it’s come full circle from me going out with my dad years ago.
“I really think it’s a great business to be a part of and I encourage all women to consider it as a career. We are stronger and more capable than we and others realise.”