First Tower Climb

"Yes, it was me"
Cliff 'Sparrow' Billington

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Yes, it was me, Cliff Billington (aka Sparrow) who climbed the tower and left a bra and a sheep's skull on the weather vane.

The offending items I literally found in a hedge bottom on Manor Rd whilst walking home from a party with a mate. What possessed me to make the climb, or how I managed it I will never know. But after the best part of a party can of Watneys Red, anything goes! I shinned up a drainpipe facing the sports field and then scrambled the rest of the way up to the tower. I honestly cannot remember exactly how I climbed the tower, and looking at the photos of the later climb that might not be a bad thing (I didn't realise the tower itself was so tall). Getting down was probably even more dangerous, had I but realised. Fortunately it was dry and not too slippery.

(Continued below)

Republished by kind permission of The Derby Evening Telegraph.

"An intrepid climber has scaled the clock tower at Bemrose School, Derby"

The route to the tower.

The next day as we entered the gates I was praying that someone would notice. No need to worry though, there was pandemonium amongst the staff. Of course the usual suspects were rounded up by Nunkie but no-one suspected me (such a weedy nerd - see class photo of 5A). Nobody could have shopped me since I didn't let on to anyone that it was me (when the pressure is on, even mates can crack). When I owned up a few days later, Cheesey sent me to report to Nunkie's tower. I was expecting the worst, wearing three pairs of pants etc, but Nunkie actually congratulated me on having the physical courage to do it, and the even greater morale courage to own up when not under pressure. He even offered to give me a job reference if I ever needed it.

William 'Nunkiie' Norville, 1963

Getting it down was almost as daft as putting it up. The fire brigade had refused on the grounds that it was too dangerous. I had to have a rope attached to me and then climbed up (from roof level). From that height it was a piece of cake! I was up and down again in a couple of minutes, much to the embarrassment of Danny Rees & Co. I remember Paul Dodd and a few others were there to offer support.

As Paul has said on the forum, it did make the Derby Evening Telegraph, and the Daily Mail, but not exactly the front page.

I think the date was in 1964 (in Lower Trans Science) and it made my reputation with the girls of Homelands. I could do no wrong..Trouble is, I was to naive to do anything, perhaps I really was a nerd.

~ Cliff 'Sparrow' Billington