Tribute to ‘Master Steeplejack'

It is with sadness we report the death of Bert Bird, he was the founder and chairman of Delta Steeplejacks Ltd.

It is with sadness we report the death of Bert Bird, he was the founder and chairman of Delta Steeplejacks Ltd, he passed away the 21st of November 2010 at the age of 86, a celebration of his life was held at Macclesfield Crematorium on 2nd December 2010, many tributes were made on the day from family, friends and industry and it was clear he was loved by his family and respected and liked by all who new him

Whilst Bert left school to become an apprentice bricklayer he began his steeplejack career at the age of 27 when he secured employment with Furse Steeplejacks in Nottingham. He worked diligently gaining experience, working his way up the ladder until 1968 when he moved to Furse Manchester to become branch manager. He ultimately founded his own company Delta Steeplejacks in 1977 where he put to use the wealth of experience and expertise he had previously gained resulting in the successful family company it is today.

Delta joined the Industry Training Group and Bert was actively involved with others in furthering the formal training of steeplejack apprentices, he became Chairman of the Training Group and he immediately took an active and influential role in all training matters. Whilst the early apprentice training was overseen by a scaffolding instructor Bert realised the apprentices would benefit by having a qualified steeplejack instructor, having made his mind up and with his usual can-do attitude he set about persuading (or perhaps badgering) the Construction Training Board until he got his way.

In the early days the apprentices at the training centre at Bircham Newton trained on a disused brick chimney in Kings Lynn and this provided a realistic work environment, in the early Nineties the CITB was informed the chimney was to be demolished to make way for redevelopment. This was a bombshell as it would leave the apprentices without a realistic training facility. It was suggested that the training would have to be undertaken in a scaffold training hanger Bert's answer was "not likely we will build our own training tower" while most of industry said it could not be done and it would be to expensive , Bert quickly put together a small committee  and thus started a campaign to persuade the CITB to build the tower, with no or little response from the local CITB management he was making little headway so what does Bert do he secured an appointment with the Chairman of the CITB and he leads a delegation to London and using his charm wit and powers of persuasion he sets about convincing the powers that be that whilst the numbers of steeplejack trainees may be small their duty to ensure effective a safe training is vital to the maintenance and upkeep of tall structures. After months of deliberations the word came that the CITB would substantially fund the project.

When Bert stood down from the Training Group Chairmanship he was made an Honorary Life Member in recognition of his excellent contribution he had made to training within the industry, this award is the only one ever made.

Delta became members of ATLAS in 1981 and Bert again became an active member bringing his talents and enthusiasm to bear. He became an ATLAS Council member, President (1988-90) and Honorary Life Vice President, and he will be remembered by all who knew him as a hard working, enthusiastic man with a sharp sense of humour and someone who made a positive contribution to our industry.

If anyone has earned the title Of ‘Master Steeplejack’ it is Bert.

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Item sourced from http://www.atlas.org.uk/news-publications/article/tribute-to