Thursday 5 June 2008

Window Cleaning News

AUSTRALIA: Firefighters abseiled the world's tallest residential building yesterday, all in the name of training. Queensland Fire and Rescue Service officers from Robina, Ipswich and Beenleigh tested their technical rescue skills in two exercises, which involved climbing into Q1's spire and abseiling 280m down the side of the building. South East Command rescue co-ordinator Paul Beck said the officers completed two training exercises designed to simulate real situations. "The first exercise is a scenario where a window cleaner becomes stuck halfway down and we've got to abseil down and rescue them," he said.

UK: The grieving mum of a man who was shot dead has hit out at callous thieves who have been repeatedly stealing from his grave. Maureen Jenkins was disgusted to discover that floral tributes she had left on her son Sean's grave in Magdalen Road Cemetery, Wandsworth, had been stolen when she visited on Thursday afternoon. Mr Jenkins, known as Stretch, was shot on the doorstep of a friend's house in Newstead Walk, Carshalton, in December 2006. Tributes flooded in for the 6ft 8ins window cleaner, described as a "gentle giant", after friends and family received the shocking news of his death.





UK: THERE is always something to polish when you are a window cleaner and now Sid Hawke has got a new responsibility in addition to his civic duties as Mayor of the City of Ripon. Traditionally a decorative lamp standard with panels depicting the city's coat of arms is erected outside the home of the Mayor when he takes up office and Coun Hawke is making sure it is kept sparkling clean. Each night at 9pm the Hornblower blows his horn at the four corners of the Obelisk in the Market Square in a ceremony reputed to date back 1,000 years. The Hornblower then goes to the Mayor's house, this year in Ailcey Road, to sound it again. Originally it was done to let citizens know that the city was in the care of the Wakeman – the Mayor's predecessor – for the night. Coun. Hawke, 60, an Independent member of both Ripon City and Harrogate Councils, has been a window cleaner for 43 years – at one time combining it with duties as a retained firefighter. He said: "I had just started doing window cleaning when I became a retained fireman. It used to be quite good fun. When I got a call I used to have to drop the ladder and run like hell. "Coun Hawke's wife, Elsie died in August, 2005, and his daughter, Julie Spence, is his Mayoress. He said: "Since the Mayor making ceremony the reception has been absolutely wonderful around Ripon. "Wherever we have gone people have welcomed us with open arms. My daughter is absolutely loving it."

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