The Herald - May 06 2005 - By Alan Macdermid
Police cast solo Clyde hero adrift
HE has saved more than 1500 lives, and was honoured yesterday for the feat, but now George Parsonage is facing a new battle.
The 61-year-old has rowed his boat on the River Clyde, rescuing men, women and children from drowning, since 1979.
Yet yesterday, even as he was being honoured for his work with the Glasgow Humane Society, police said they will no longer turn to him for help because he has been working alone, which has caused a problem with health and safety rules.
Mr Parsonage was in London to receive the special lifetime award by the Royal Humane Society, which is unconnected with the Glasgow organisation.
The silver medal was presented to him by Princess Alexandra. His work was normally carried out in conjunction with Strathclyde Police, who would page him for help when someone was in danger.
But officers have now been instructed not to call him out because, since his assistant left recently, he is the only member of his lifeboat rescue-team remaining.
Mr Parsonage succeeded his father, Ben, in his role with the society, which was founded in 1790 to rescue people from drowning and recover the bodies of those who had drowned.
"The police won't call me. But if a member of the public calls and there's someone out in the river, I'll be out there. If I see someone, I'll go," he said. He added: "It's going to be very, very difficult.
The people of Glasgow are used to a service. "You must look at health and safety, but I question some of the practicalities. Having said that, a one-man lifeboat should not be around in the twenty-first century."
Strathclyde Police said a meeting with the society was held last month, when it was discovered that Mr Parsonage's assistant had left.
Mr Parsonage was philosophical about the decision. He said he was not looking for a helper straight away and remained on good terms with the police.
"It doesn't stop. It just happens to be a hiccup at the moment. I could find an assistant tomorrow," he said. "It's whether or not the society will want to continue with the rescue work."
He said that he would also focus on prevention work, adding: "I've got 1000 jobs. It might be a blessing." The lifesaver admitted he was "humbled" by his award. "To me it's an honour for the citizens and officers of Glasgow.
It can be extremely difficult. The public can call you at any time. "It's quite a privilege to save people's lives. It's nice to be able to do it."
Mr Parsonage was accompanied to the ceremony by his wife, Stephanie.
A police spokeswoman said: "We learned that Mr Parsonage is the sole Humane Society officer.
If he finds another assistant the situation will be reviewed." Strathclyde Police are one of the charity's funding bodies. Its current annual funding of £50,000 was approved by the police joint board a few months ago.
Rescue work will now be carried out by the police underwater and Fire Brigade rescue teams.
Mr Parsonage, who was made an MBE in 1999, is a graduate of Glasgow School of Art and a former art teacher at Whitehill Secondary in the city.
He is an accomplished sculptor and, in the style of the late Eduardo Paolozzi, used bits of scrap metal picked up from the riverbank for his eye-catching creations, which have included tall ships and six-foot-long dragon boats.
He has exhibited them and sold them to raise funds for the society and for Macmillan Cancer Relief.
The Royal Humane Society has been handing out honours for bravery and lifesaving since 1774 and is one of the UK's oldest bravery awards organisations.