Window Cleaning News...& Some Art?

Warning over rogue tradesmen in Caversham: Police fear rogue traders are preying on people in Caversham – ‘cleaning’ their gutters for free and then demanding £16,000 for the job. The conmen targeted a home in All Hallows Road off Henley Road, on Thursday, December 10, and police believe they might have visited elsewhere too – focusing on vulnerable people. Inspector Penny Mackenzie, who leads the Caversham neighbourhood team, said: “Please be aware cold callers and/or rogue traders attended an address in All Hallows Road at approximately 3.45pm on Thursday, December 10. “The males said they would clean the homeowners’ guttering for free. “When they had done this they said the guttering was rotten and they would replace it for £16,000. “Although the householder refused to pay – they may be targeting elderly or vulnerable individuals. Please keep an eye on your neighbours.”

Gwen Richins, 73, of Ordish Street, said staff at the nearby Asda store, in Orchard Street, where she is a regular shopper, had called to check on her welfare while her window cleaner had offered to shop for her. She told the Mail: “I can’t get out at the moment unless family come and pick me up as it’s like a skating rink out there. “People say there’s no community anymore but this just proves there is. I think it’s absolutely brilliant that people take the time to help.”

Wagtail makes its appearance in Russia, thanks to window cleaner Vadim. Vadim Bokhanovitch of MoemGorod started the first water fed pole window cleaning service in Saint Petersburg, 370 miles north of Moscow. Read more about Vadims Russian takeover in a previous blog here.

York window-cleaner Jonathan Millea worked “hell-for-leather” before Christmas to ensure York’s only windmill, Holgate Mill, started 2010 with money in the bank. Selling raffle tickets to his customers, Jonathan raised £430 for the Holgate Windmill Preservation Society, which works hard to preserve and promote the important historical building. The money will pay for the painting of the windmill’s exterior. Jonathan said: “I’ve always been interested in historical buildings and the Holgate Windmill is an important, unique landmark for York. It provides excellent information to visitors regarding engineering methods and plenty of fun for youngsters.” Bob Anderton, society chairman, said: “The society is always busy in their quest to restore the Holgate Windmill to its former operating status and is doing a marvellous job.”

Dutch art?

Emigrates holidays wanted to give office workers a new spectacular view out of their windows. They created giant canvas posters and attached them to window cleaning units with a simple message: "Change your view. Emigrates holidays." As the unit moved around the building, office workers had a pleasant surprise. This simple & spectacular idea created a massive buzz around the region, picked up in newspapers & discussed on blog sites. As always click the pictures to enlarge.

In the name of transparency, the Mayor of London Boris Johnson is publishing all payments above £1,000 on the Greater London Authority website. Good for him. But it does lead him open to criticism for some items. The list for November last year has now been released and it comes to a total of £3.7 million. There are numerous charges for consultancies, media training, Bupa health screening, agency staff and lawyers. Some £812,000 was handed over to marketing firm Jack Morton Worldwide. Even the City Hall window cleaning was five figures, at £13,314.

Roofing inspector Duncan Hastings enjoyed a night on the tiles after being crowned John Smith's People's Darts champion. The Scot beat window cleaner Mark Petchey 3-1 at the Lakeside to scoop £15,000 for his nominated charity, the Strathcarron Hospice. Hastings, 43, nicknamed 'Big D' and representing Pennies Bar in Falkirk, nailed double 10 for victory - but will be back at work up a ladder tomorrow. "It feels special to be standing here as a People's Darts champion," said Hastings. Petchey, 45, will also be back up a ladder this week with his bucket and chamois leather, but did the Royal Oak in Basingstoke proud. He picked up £5,000 for Sport Relief.