Chimney Sweeps

We have all heard that meeting a chimney sweep on the way to your wedding is lucky but not many of us know how or why this tradition came about.

We cannot be sure when the tradition of a chimney sweep came about, but its been around for centuries. The chimney sweep is meant to bring good luck, health and happiness to the bride and groom as well as to sweep away troublesome spirits.

In the 18th century, King George was saved from a bolting horse by a chimney sweep and thus decreed that all chimney sweeps should be honoured. This enhanced their reputation further.

Over the years, the tradition of meeting or shaking hands with a chimney sweep has grown and even our own Royal Family have honoured this tradiion. On the night before he married the Queen, Prince Phillip himself left his home to shake hands with a chimney sweep who "just happened to be passing".

Like many traditions, this one is in danger of being committed to the history books. Perhaps this is due to the dying need for a chimney sweep for his real uses.