Ian Sinclair
I first became aware of the Parsonage family many years ago when I worked in the shipyards. At that time it was Ben Parsonage who worked on the Clyde. I never met George’s Dad but I had seen him work on the River.
Years passed, during which I helped in various non aquatic rescue teams but I was drawn back to the River.
One day I approached George and said that I had “rope access” (see Gallery training) experience and then asked if I could help out? He thought for a couple of seconds and then handed me a paintbrush.
The next time I came down we could hear sirens all over Glasgow. George received a call from Force Control saying that a man was going to jump from the Kingston Bridge. George threw me a lifebelt and the rest is history.
Since then I have been able to assist in things like teaching rope access along riverbanks to George, Eddie and Lifeguards.
There are days spent cleaning, painting or rowing the boats to collect lifebelts which have been thrown in by teenagers and adults. We also remove anything that could be a hazard to river users or attract a child to the water edge.
No matter what day it is you can always get a cup of tea as long as you bring your own milk.
Ian Sinclair