Sherlock Holmes, fireplaces and Crowborough!

“My dear fellow,” said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, “life is infinitely stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent.”

Perhaps a visitor to Crowborough would find it ‘strange’ to realise that Holmes had strong literary links to the town. The statue of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle at Crowborough Cross bears witness to the fact that Doyle spend many years in the area – some 23 years, in fact, at Windlesham Manor.

Crowborough residents rely on James the Sweep to sweep their chimneys. For the simple reason that James the Sweep is the Master Sweep for Crowborough – sweeping chimneys, checking flues and flue liners; and making sure all is in order with solid fuel appliances and open fires.

How does that relate to Sherlock Holmes? Because the Holmes stories, created by Crowborough resident Doyle, are full of action taking place around fireplaces. Note the ‘either side of the fire’ in the quote above – throughout the great detective’s stories, the fireplace is a silent witness to all that happens.

We find Holmes relaxing by the fireplace with Watson. The tongues of fire move Holmes to deep thought and reflection. He plays the violin by it and receives his stream of visitors too, both good and bad. Think of Dr Grimesby Roylott bending the fire poker in The Adventure of the Speckled Band (which Holmes later bends back) or the fiery quarrel in The Adventure of the Abbey Grange, which results in a lethal blow, also using a fire poker.

Next time (or first time!) you visit Crowborough, do take time to reflect on the connections between the town and Sherlock Holmes – and fireplaces! And if you have just moved to the town, do contact the Crowborough chimney sweep, James the Sweep for any chimney inspections or sweeping.

It’s easy to contact James the Sweep in Crowborough, your local chimney sweep. Find the contact details here. 

_

If you want to find out more about Conan Doyle’s time in Crowborough, contact the Conan Doyle (Crowborough) Establishment.