Window Cleaning News

Delight for window cleaner Bob (Devon, UK): A WINDOW cleaner has hailed a 'victory for common sense' after his town centre parking fine was overturned on appeal. Bob Essam, 48, of Torquay, was given a £70 ticket for parking his van in Fleet Street one morning while he was cleaning a local shop. A NCP-employed parking official left the ticket on his windscreen saying he was not allowed to stop unless he was unloading. Bob said the actions of officials were driving people away from the town centre and making it impossible for workers to carry out vital maintenance. Now, six months after he got the ticket, he has been told to ignore the fine by an independent adjudicator who said parking rules in the area are not clear enough. Bob said: "I could have just accepted it like most people, got a bit angry and let them have the £70. But I thought it was so unjust that I had to make a stand. "Thankfully the adjudicator listened to what I had to say and agreed with me that the rules were not clear. I had started to lose hope that common sense had gone out of the window but this shows if you fight for what is right you get a reward. "It's a victory for common sense." Bob's problems started when he stopped his van outside Topshop and went inside to clean the floors. He had stopped in the same area for the past 30 years but on this particular morning fell foul of a Civil Enforcement Officer who slapped a ticket on his windscreen. Bob said it was 'diabolical' that some officials were not prepared to listen to reason and were interpreting the rules too strictly. He added: "The town centre is dying on its feet and people are deserting it. Some of these parking officials need to be told they are not the only ones with jobs to do." A Torbay Council spokesperson said: "Torbay Council appreciates that window cleaners have a difficult job to do. "As such we have offered dispensation to window cleaners to use vans in Fleet Street before 10am for the pumping of water. "On this occasion it would appear that Mr Essam was not clear to the extent which this dispensation applied and as such this Penalty Charge Notice was issued. "On the advice of the adjudicator we will be contacting Mr Essam direct to once again advise how to operate in Fleet Street in such a way that complies with the parking restrictions and therefore avoid the issue of further PCNs."
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HAWICK (Scotland) is well served by window cleaners and they are to be seen at work in all parts of the town in daylight hours, and, depending on the weather, working on the inside of windows as well as spreading their cleansers over the outsides. The very nature of the job gives the window cleaner a unique insight into what is happening in houses, shops and other buildings and it goes without saying that the strictest confidence is one of the chief requirements to be practiced by the window cleaner. Where shops are concerned, cleaning on the outside and looking into the premises will give the cleaner some idea of the level of activity within that building and he will draw his own conclusions as to the state of that business. This is surely the time of year to be looking forward into a new year and it might be worthwhile following the practice of the window cleaner and try to assess what will be happening in our town in the coming year.
Councillors and parliamentarians usually try to assess what the coming weeks and months hold for Hawick in terms of jobs and business opportunities. The last few months have been a bit of a disaster in terms of the closing of shops and the savage cut backs in knitwear production and the substantially reduced opportunities of jobs for school leavers. We should ask our leaders to look through a glass which is not quite clear and, using the experience of our window cleaners, try to tell us what they expect to see developing in and around Hawick.
Never mind the affairs of the wider world; they may be able to see developments on the horizon which will affect Hawick in the coming year, hopefully, to its advantage. One thing is sure; Hawick has faced crises in the past and the strong resolution of its folk will carry it through again. Let us all look forward to 2009 in a spirit of resolute determination that keeps the "auld toon" in its rightful mood. A Happy New Year to all at home and abroad!
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Creditors walk out at Raptis meeting, Gold Coast, Australia: A group of creditors stormed away in 'disgust' after a crucial vote to appoint a new administrator to the Raptis Group's troubled construction arm Rapcivic was blocked. The walk-out capped off a largely business-like meeting of about 70 local sub-con-tractors and suppliers owed $25 million by Rapcivic. The angry creditors, headed by insolvency specialist Graeme Downie, objected to the appointment of Sydney-based administrator Brian Silvia, of BRI Ferrier. Paul Scott, whose window-cleaning business Alpine Rope Access is owed $130,000, said Raptis Group chairman Jim Raptis should have bowed to the majority of 'external' creditors and allowed the appointment of Worrells. About 70 of the 400 creditors to Rapcivic were told yesterday that Rapcivic faced a shortfall of $398 million through inter-company loans within the Raptis Group.
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Two traders have closed their stall in Rochford Market for the final time after 30 years in the business. Raymond and Janet Platt have left the market because of tough trading conditions, particularly since the economic slowdown. They plan to concentrate on their flourishing window-cleaning business. Come rain or sunshine, the husband and wife team have been a regular fixture on Tuesdays in Market Square where they sold stationery and greeting cards. However, the pair, of Derek Gardens, Prittlewell, sold their goods for the last time last Tuesday. Mr Platt, 60, said: “I’m very sad to leave. “We’ve had some good times and met some lovely people. “But recently, things have become very tight and expensive. “The credit crunch has affected everyone. “After working nine to ten hours, you might end up with just £30 for a day’s trading. It’s not worth it any more. “A lot of traders are just going through the mincer at the moment. But the window cleaning has got better and better. “I’ll miss some of the customers, but we will be cleaning some of their windows now.” Back in the Seventies, Mr and Mrs Platt started trading after getting hold of some stationery stock from a bankrupt business and decided to set up a stall at Wickford Market. It allowed Mr Platt to fulfil his dream of being self-employed and, since then, they have also sold their goods at markets in Southend, Epping and Witham. Mrs Platt, 56, added: “It’s a shame really, but we will still be seeing the traders on Tuesdays to say hello. “But there’s so much competition for market traders these days. “There’s so many cheap shops around which are nice and bright and you don’t have to stand out in the cold.” She said she particularly remembered trading in harsh weather conditions, especially in heavy snow, and would miss the risque jokes of some of the fellow traders.
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Nearly two years ago, Jesika Kelsey wrote on her brother Steven Kelsey's MySpace page: "I heart you lots!!! even if you may hate me from time to time." Today, authorities say, her 19-year-old brother, a private in the U.S. Army, is to be charged with the 17-year-old Highland Township girl's stabbing death. "She was a very happy, loving girl," said Gary Doyle, who owns Fish Window Cleaning in Waterford, where Jesika had worked with her mother and brother. "It's a huge shock. We're all still trying to figure it out. They were both model employees." Friends and neighbors identified Jesika's brother as Steven Kelsey, who had been home for several days from basic training. He was expected to be on a flight back Friday, said Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard. Friends and neighbors say it appeared that the Kelsey siblings got along. They were always friendly and polite around their Highland Greens Mobile Home Park community, off Milford Road, about two miles north of M-59. The family had even gathered with some friends on New Year's Eve for a party, said neighbor Lisa Chant, 34. But sometime in the early morning hours on Thursday, Jesika was stabbed several times.
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The world of athletics has been saddened by news of the death from cancer of Wickford’s former international star Sid Purkis at the age of 70. Sid was also one of Essex’s top athletes, born on May 10 1938. After leaving the army he continued his running career with Romford and went on to win numerous county and southern titles. Sid finished as runner up in the AA’s 880 yards track championship and was selected to compete for Great Britain in the European Championships in Belgrade in 1962 as well as the British Empire Commonwealth Games in Perth, Australia, the same year. He also represented his country on many other occasions in France, Germany, Italy and several of the former Iron Curtain countries. When Romford AC amalgamated with Hornchurch Harriers in 1968 to form Havering Athletics Club, Sid joined Thurrock Harriers. Sid left school at the age of 15 and became a French polisher, but after completing his national service he joined his brother in a successful window cleaning business in Brentwood High Street and surrounding areas. He regularly ran home after a day’s work to his home in Wickford. Despite hanging up his racing shoes he still ran regularly to keep fit. In fact, he was still running up to four months ago when he was diagnosed with cancer. However, in typical fashion he displayed tremendous courage and strength during his short illness. Sid had lived in Wickford with his childhood sweetheart, Sylvia, for the last 48 years and they celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary earlier in 2008. He is survived by Sylvia and their two sons, Glen and Barry, and five grandchildren. Sid died on December 21 and the funeral service will be next Monday at 11.45 am at St Margarets Church, Castledon Road, Downham West, Wickford, Essex.
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Family of authors finds success. Baratz-Logsted, a full-time author since 2003, has written 10 published novels for 'tweens, teens and adults. Logsted, who owns a window-cleaning business in Fairfield County, had his first novel, "Something Happened," published in November. The series is Jackie's literary debut. She is a third-grader at Wooster School and lives in Danbury with her parents. The trio got the idea for the series in 2006 while visiting friends for Christmas in Colorado. "A huge blizzard hit and the Denver airport was shut down. We were stuck inside with no television and nothing to do," said Logsted. "Once we were able to fly home, we brainstormed during the entire trip."Baratz-Logsted said she's excited to be writing a book for her daughter's age group. "Jackie has always been proud of my work. It's great to be finally writing books that she can not only read but can actually help write."The family developed a system in which Baratz-Logsted writes a chapter during the day, and in the evening everyone discusses what needs to be changed and what should come next. Each member of "the peanut gallery," as Baratz-Logsted refers to her clan, contributes in a different way.

More high jinks from Uncle Phil & Mr. Sanchez...make sure you watch it till the end.