Quick Quirky Window Cleaning News

Mr Amroliwala, 50, was quick to admit his failure to pay his window cleaner. He told colleagues: 'Rather than risk being on the Wanted board I've paid!'

Embarrassment for BBC Crimewatch presenter forced to cough up £20 owed to window cleaner after complaint sent to show - Matthew Amroliwala (pictured) was confronted with a text from his former window cleaner demanding payment. As a Crimewatch presenter, he is used to hearing from the victims of crooks and conmen. But when one viewer contacted the show, Matthew Amroliwala found himself in the uncomfortable position of admitting he was the culprit. While looking through Crimewatch correspondence, the BBC journalist was confronted with a text from his former window cleaner demanding payment. It said: ‘I’m Matthew Amroliwala’s window cleaner. He’s moved and he owes me £20.’ Mr Amroliwala, 50, was quick to admit his guilt, according to The Guardian newspaper. He told colleagues: ‘Rather than risk being on the Wanted board I’ve paid!’
Until moving house recently, Mr Amroliwala lived in Haringey, north London, with his wife Jackie and four children. The presenter joined Crimewatch in 2008 as part of a revamp of the BBC1 show following the departure of Fiona Bruce. Co-hosting it alongside Kirsty Young and Martin Bayfield, he presents the ‘How They Were Caught’ section, explaining solved cases. He also gives updates on previous cases covered by Crimewatch. On top of his Crimewatch duties, Mr Amroliwala presents for the BBC News Channel and reads BBC1’s weekend news bulletins. The former foreign correspondent presented during the London July 7 bomb attacks in 2005, and has reported from Northern Ireland and from Bosnia during the Balkans conflict. First broadcast in 1984, Crimewatch reconstructs major unsolved crimes to help gather more information from witnesses.

Working closely with police forces the BBC1 show’s public appeals boast an impressive crime solving rate, with a third of cases featured leading to an arrest and one in five leading to conviction. Some of the show’s most famous solved crimes include the murder of schoolgirl Sarah Payne in 2000 and the murder of two-year-old Jamie Bulger in 1993. In 1999, Crimewatch was engulfed in tragedy when the programme’s presenter Jill Dando was murdered by an unidentified gunman outside her home in Fulham, west London. A BBC spokesman declined to comment.
 

A MAX train stalled at Northwest First Avenue and Couch has knocked out MAX service in the central city. Click to enlarge.

MAX line between Rose Quarter and Jeld-Wen Field stalled by mechanical problem: MAX trains are not running between the Rose Quarter and Jeld-Wen Field because of a mechanical issue. The issue: A window washer's rope has reportedly become tangled with a MAX power line in Old Town. TriMet is working on the problem and officials say shuttle buses are being used along the section of light-rail lines not operating. Trains are operating along the Green and Yellow lines in downtown Portland and outside the central city, however.

Window washers' rope snares MAX train, shuts down lines: Portland - An unusual accident with a MAX train caused delays Wednesday with the Red and Blue Line. TriMet said it appears window washers dropped a rope from a platform in the Old Town section of downtown and it became entangled with the electrical contact arm on top of a train and "destroyed" the apparatus, which is known as a pantograph. TriMet said in a tweet that "Blue and Red line trains are not operating between Rose Quarter and JELD-Wen Field stations due to a mechanical problem." They also said shuttle buses would take passengers to their destinations and the delay could last "3 to 4 hours" while crews make repairs. The incident took place at about 10:15 a.m.

75 year old Norman Gibbins is retiring from his window cleaning round. Norman is pictured at home in Acton. Click to enlarge.

Sudbury: After a life of ups and downs 75-year-old Norman Gibbins finally retires from window cleaning: And after more than 30 years cleaning windows Norman Gibbins has a few stories to tell. But there will be no confessions from this faithfully Sudbury window cleaner. This week, the popular 75-year-old hung up his bucket and chamois for the last time, much to the chagrin of those living on Cross Street. Every Friday since 1980, almost without fail, Norman could be seen on top of a ladder on the busy thoroughfare buffing up the window panes. His kind character and chirpy banter have made him a favourite with all the householders he served to the point where one satisfied customer put a plaque up in his honour.

“Cross Street is a big part of my life and I’ll miss the people although I won’t miss the winters. Over the years I’ve put on more layers and I ended up looking like a Michelin Man,” said Norman, who is only stopping work because of failing eyesight. “I started window cleaning because I was made redundant from a previous job. I then started painting the exteriors of houses. Over the years I built up a good clientele on Cross Street and they have all treated me with kindness.”

And it would seem the feeling is mutual. Owner of the street’s famous Moot Hall, Roy Rawden, even had a brass plaque erected to mark one particular paint job Norman carried out a few years back. And his discretion has also won him fans. When asked for some racy stories from more than three decades of looking through people’s windows, Norman will only go as far as to say: “Let’s just say I’ve had a few curtains drawn in my face.” Cross Street resident Frances Butler added: “Norman is a local institution and has kept this street in good order over many years. He is well-liked and an example to as all for the way he conducts himself.” 

75 year old Norman Gibbins is retiring from his window cleaning round. Norman is pictured at home in Acton. Click to enlarge.