The Diaries of Russell James Sparrow 1908 to 1991
lot of pacing for the top men at Herne Hill, the Wembley of cycling. I think he was employed in and around London until they were married, and then he joined Bishop and Son organ builders in Ipswich. Their works were on the corner of Westbourne and Cromer Roads, a stones throw from the first Berryhead. Mother and Dad made their first home in Cemetery Road (a cheerful place to start). This job took him all over England, Scotland and Wales being responsible for the installation of new organs in cathedrals and churches. He had many tales to tell about this work but my favourite was about the dedication of a new organ in Cardiff Cathedral when he was made responsible for receiving a big name organist who was to play the instrument at the service. To Dad’s horror when he arrived (in a horse drawn taxi no doubt) he was helplessly drunk and had to be almost carried to the organ and lifted onto the stool. To everyone’s amazement as soon as his hands touched the keys and music was produced he appeared to sober up and the proceedings went on without any trouble.
Early days During this time Mother and Dad moved to Surbiton Road where Clifford and I were born, but in different houses. I was not the firstborn, three boys including twins having preceded me but I think the longest any of them lived was 6 weeks. My first school was Springfield (now Westbourne) which was only a few yards from our house and the teachers I can remember were Miss Abbott, Miss Cunningham and the Headmaster Mr Glanfield, nicknamed Bogey famous for at least one thing as illustrated by our war song which went, “Bogey, Bogey Glanfield goes to church on Sunday to pray to God to give him strength to whack his boys on Monday.” The boys were a mixed bunch, the boys wearing anything from a sailor suit to knickerbockers, black stockings and hobnailed boots, the bigger the nails the better because bigger sparks could be 10
