'Confessions' of window cleaner George
FOR 57 years, George Kerry has cleaned West Norfolk's windows, from terraced homes to those of the gentry, hotels and also commercial premises.
He wanted to be a motor mechanic but his late father, Arthur, who was also in the window cleaning trade, fell off a ladder one day and George took over the reins for him.
Mr Kerry senior started the business in 1920, the family based at Valingers Road in Lynn.
George began helping out when he was 13, and became involved in the business fully at 15, though cars were his "big passion" and he had always helped repair them.
"I was due to start an apprenticeship at a local garage," said George
But when he was in his late teens his father had fallen while cleaning a first-floor window in Valingers Road, broke his heel, hurt his stomach and been off for 18 months.
George, and his brother, Lewis, later took on the business in earnest in the 1960s while their father went into semi-retirement.
They were out in all weathers. "My hands used to freeze to the ladder in a cold snap," George said.
Over the years, George has cleaned thousands of windows. "We used to have a cart that we used to tow from South Lynn to Gaywood," said George, now 71.
He first started cleaning windows with full-skin wash leathers which were heavy.
"I used to get them for eight shillings. They are 18 now," he said.
The mode of transport changed with the times.
"I had a mini van in the '60s and now I've got an estate car."
Among George's customers were the Princess of Wales' parents, the 8th Earl Spencer and Frances Shand Kydd, as she became, when they were at Park House – where the future Princess of Wales was born – at Sandringham.
'VERY NICE'
"Earl Spencer was a very nice man.
"He would come out and bring you a pint of beer," said George, who carried on cleaning the windows when the house, now a Leonard Cheshire home, ceased to be a private residence.
Meanwhile, Mrs Shand Kydd's mother, Lady Fermoy, would ensure George had tea on a silver tray after he had cleaned her windows at Uphall at Hillington.
On occasion, she might also be playing a piano when he was in earshot.
Among other customers was the Duchess of Kent when she lived at Amner Hall though George said he would never divulge anything he might see or hear during his work.
"Ninth tenths of my job is discretion," he told the Lynn News.
However, he did recall an amusing incident in Windsor Road, Lynn, where some ladies underwear inadvertently got caught on the top of his ladder as he walked past a washing line.
"She came after me!" said George, who had been totally unaware of carrying the garment down the street!
Pranks were also played on him during his 40 years of cleaning windows at the Duke's Head Hotel.
In the "good old days" staff would sometimes lock him in a cupboard – with a chamber maid!
"They used to say 'your bucket is in there' then lock me in," said George, who also remembered being poked with an umbrella while he was standing on a window sill, doing the kitchen.
“It used to go right up my leg!” he said.
On the subject of seeing indiscretions, George would not be drawn other than to say: “Anyone who buys me a pint might be told!”.
The top of the Duke’s Head was high for George to climb up his ladder, though he had faith. “I used to say ‘trust in the Lord’,” he said.
He also recalled when cleaning Sir Stephen’s Green’s home at Snettisham he had to use a three-section timber ladder. I used to go up 40-odd feet plus.”
CUSTOMERS
George has been forced into retirement through ill health – he has severe emphyzema and pulmonary fibrosis – though says he will miss his customers.
“I always had a good rapport with them,” he said, adding that his nephews, Martin and Adrian, would be taking his customers on.
George met his wife, Ann, in 1956 and the couple have just celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary.
They have two grown-up children, David, a headteacher in the north of England, and Mrs Sarah Venni, who works at Downham High School.
Reminiscing over his long career, George, of Cedar Way, West Lynn, has no regrets.
“I might even write a book,” he said.
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Weather for King's Lynn
Thursday 24 May 2012
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