The Lost Art Of Window Gazing

Play School was a British children's television series produced by the BBC which ran from 21 April 1964 until 11 March 1988. The opening sequence for Play School during its run, the first being "Here's a house, here's a door. Windows: 1 2 3 4, ready to knock? Turn the lock - It's Play School." Many older window cleaners will remember the long running series & featured in the story below by John Holton.

Between Here & Home: The lost art of window gazing (By John Holton) - I stumbled across my old school reports in the filing cabinet the other day, including one from my Year 8 science teacher, who wrote, “…if John spent as much time attending to his work as he does staring out of the window, he could achieve anything”.  Sorry Mr Campbell. It wasn’t your fault. My gaze has always been drawn to the hole in the wall. I was the kid mesmerised by the arched window on Play School.

There’s still nothing quite like sitting in the window of my favourite café, sipping tea as life goes on around me; travelling by train with my nose pressed against the glass, the world blurring; wandering the streets of any town at night; the glow emanating from windows; lives playing out behind glass. It’s hard to believe, amid our cities of steel and glass, that window glazing has only been the norm, for the working classes, since the mid-19th century.

Though in 1696 there were enough glazed windows in British homes for William III to introduce a window tax. It made staring out at the world an expensive business and caused some householders to brick up their windows. It seems the aristocracy have always found ways to feather their nests from the necessities of life – air, water… a view. I’m guessing the king’s vista remained unimpeded.

Staring out the window, as Mr Campbell demonstrated, often gets bad press. But some of the world’s most important ideas wouldn’t have happened without some serious window gazing. Literary critic Burton Roscoe said, “Few can ever understand that a writer is working when he’s staring out the window.”

Poet Billy Collins put it more lyrically: The birds are in their trees – the toast is in the toaster – and the poets are at their windows… The clerks are at their desks – the miners are down in their mines – and the poets are looking out their windows… Of course, he’s not just poeticising about poets, but anyone who creates.

Architects, engineers, designers, even scientists, are among history’s most revered window gazers. Indeed, Einstein described his Theory of Relativity with the image of a traveller staring from the window of a moving train.

I was at the launch of Bendigo’s stunning art gallery redevelopment on Saturday, and while all the new spaces are beautifully conceived, the Frances & Harold Abbott Foundation Gallery in particular captured my imagination. It has a spectacular, high corner window that looks upon a stone wall and the trees of Rosalind Park; there are glimpses of Peter (the rabbit sculpture) and, if you look at the right angle, eerie reflections of passers-by. It shares its space with the work of Del Kathryn Barton and Patricia Piccinini, but that window is a work of art without peer.

It’s a perfect view of our changing city. I know I’ll stare from it often.

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.

More Window Cleaning News

David Orozco of Heart of America Window Cleaning stood atop the pane of glass he was cleaning Wednesday afternoon on the overhang at the entrance to the Marriott Muehlebach Tower at 12th and Wyandotte streets. He was among area folks happy to see warmer than usual temperatures this week, for work or pleasure. Click to enlarge.

Guardian Fall Protection expands into Texas: The holiday season is over and before anyone realizes it, the spring will be here and more construction jobs, window washing and other high rise jobs will increase. It is important for the people who work in this industry to be able to trust their equipment to prevent them from experiencing falls that could be deadly. This is the protection that Guardian Fall Protection can provide. Guardian Fall Protection is America’s fastest growing Fall Protection Manufacturer.  They boast a constantly improving and evolving product line that is derived from hands-on product focus. “I can tell you that with the revamped economy harness, the Velocity Harness, and the redesigned Cyclone, both regular and construction and now with tool bags, we will beat anyone's harness quality and pricing for like-in-kind.  In addition, we have several revamped and new retractables coming to market along with one of the largest selection of lanyards available,” said Guardian Fall Protection’s President Ed Marquardt.

A tax break that’s bad for business (Canada): Their dirty windows were blocked with drab sheets or cardboard. The glass in places was broken. Their tattered awnings were folded in unevenly, like broken pigeon wings. Many didn’t even muster a “for rent sign.” The block I was walking was on the east end of the Danforth, a few subway stops from the bustle of Greektown. But, it could well be a slice from Gerrard Street E., Queen Street, or Bloor St. W. You could blame it on the lousy economy — the retail business is cutthroat in the best of times. But some of these spaces have been empty since I moved into the area seven years ago. You’d assume the greedy hands of Adam Smith were rubbing together and local landlords were gleefully signing out leases left, right and centre. Instead, one real estate agent told me some building owners refused to show him their empty properties. “They didn’t want to discuss it any further,” said Sultan Jaffer. “They didn’t want me to come inside.

Why wouldn’t you want to make the revenue?” That’s a question city councillor Mike Layton has also been pondering, walking by the empty storefronts on Bloor St. in his ward. He figured it was real estate speculators just waiting for prices to go higher. The “crazy expensive” rents they were offering supported his theory, he said, “$4,000 to $6,000 a month for tiny little storefronts.” And then he discovered the city’s tax rebate program, set up to ease the punch of recessions on big commercial building owners which instead rewards speculators for keeping their little commercial nest egg empty. It works like this: Since 2002, the city has given commercial property owners a 30 per cent break on their taxes for space that has been vacant for 90 days or more.

At first glance I thought it was a window washer, but now I'm not so sure. That's a broom on the front of the cargo bike and another instrument. Whatever the case, a little snowstorm and a mean headwind isn't stopping him. There is, however, an interesting detail that reflects the utility-minded Danish relationship to bikes. This chap has spent about 15,000 kroner (€2000/€2600) on a cargo bike - probably a bit more with that box with a lid - and yet look at the fenders. He hasn't bothered to peel off the blue, protective film. It's a good bike, an expensive bike, a useful and practical bike but hey... it's just a bike. Click to enlarge.

Photos of the year with Ryan Pfeiffer: Most of the pictures we take throughout the year are for specific assignments but every now and then I will see something that catches my eye and try to make a good image out of it. I was on my way to the library for a shoot when I drove past a couple of window washers working on a building with mirror-like windows. I stopped for a few minutes to grab some shots but they weren't in a good spot on the building. I shot my job at the library and returned to the building and made this image. This picture wouldn't have worked without the clouds in the sky, and in fact the clouds were moving so quickly this scene didn't present itself for very long. Overall I am happy with the work I produced this year. I think we all go through ups and downs with our jobs but every year when I go back through my work I can't think of anything else I would rather do.

BBC local radio: has the BBC scored an own goal with its cuts plans? Central procurement is another issue, with local stations tied into BBC-wide deals. As Daniel Kawczynski, the Tory MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham, puts it: "Radio Shropshire is not even allowed to procure its own window cleaners. That is done centrally from London. The BBC in London sends window cleaners from Lancashire to clean the windows in Shropshire."

Vinyl windows: Vinyl windows are tough, and extremely popular. They should get a yearly inspection. Clean window tracks of debris, says Burt Harold, a rep for Pella Windows. Make sure weather stripping is sound and making proper contact. Replace as needed. When cleaning, never use abrasives. That can damage the vinyl skin of the window. If you need to lubricate a track, use pure silicone spray, not WD-40. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for caulking. When washing windows, be cautioned that bleach can discolor dark vinyl colors. And, remember, window films can void your window warranty.

A Comprehensive Study Of The UK Window Cleaning Services Market In 2010, Rating & Valuing Each Of The 123 Companies That Operate In Today's Market: The Plimsoll Analysis provides you with the most up to date and comprehensive analysis of the top 9 companies operating the market. It is ideal for anyone wanting to.

• Benchmark their own business’s financial performance
• Identify under performing companies for acquisition
• Seek out successful companies to partner or do business with
• Understand the key movers and shakers in today’s market

Each company receives the following unique features: A 5 year performance appraisal using the Plimsoll Model - an instant graphical and written analysis that tells you everything you need to know about that company and its strengths and weaknesses. An individual valuation of detailing what it is currently worth. An Acquisition Rating” on outlining its attractiveness as a company to acquire

A “future year” outlining the steps needed to improve its health and increase its value. In addition, the report also includes a 100 page overview of the latest developments in the market including:

• A 10 year trend analysis detailing changes in the market
• A list of exceptional performers in over 15 categories
• A breakdown of the industry’s KPI’s from sales growth to profitability, etc

Should every window cleaner carry one in case he gets locked out on the balcony?

China's Buses Include DIY Emergency Exits Disguised as Bricks: In case of emergency, brick glass? Goodbye, yellow brick, road? Have brick, will travel? The puns come fast & furious when attempting to explain a low-tech safety measure found on Chinese passenger buses: yellow-painted, window-breaking bricks. Just in case their purpose is misconstrued, the yellow-painted bricks feature Chinese characters that translate to “for emergency use,” painted in bright red. The Harbin Public Transport Company in the northeastern Chinese province of Heilongjiang has retrofitted around 300 of their 700 bus fleet with two bricks each, stored under the driver's seat and under one of the rear seats.

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol: (The world's most expensive window cleaner) - Other than that the film is great and the action scenes are incredible. There is one scene that shows Tom Cruise scaling the world’s tallest building like a window washer who watched too many Jackie Chan films. Also a little bit of trivia but Cruise did that scene HIMSELF and WITHOUT A STUNT DOUBLE! Next time you complain about going to work or actors being too pampered, why don’t you plop yourself down and watch the white knuckle scene where Tom Cruise tries to be Spider-Man.

Meryl Wheeler, a non-physician expert at the University of Calgary's Acute Knee Injury Clinic, checks window cleaner Jason Ronald's injured joint.

Knee clinic earns impressive track record - U of C facility seeing injury sufferers in days instead of months: Jason Ronald heard the sickening pop before he registered any pain. Mid-stride on a sprint to reach a soccer ball, Ronald caught sight of two players from the opposing team hurtling toward him in his peripheral vision. The players collided, falling together in a heap and knocking Ronald off his feet. A moment later he was in excruciating pain, his knee rapidly swelling to the size of a grapefruit. In the space of a few seconds, Ronald had torn crucial stabilizing ligaments on both sides of his left knee, and the force of the collision had left a hairline fracture in his shin bone. "It destroyed my knee," said Ronald, who had to be carried off the soccer field. "I saw my whole knee sag without the ligaments there to keep it aligned. It was gross."

But now, less than three months after his injury, Ronald is on the mend and able to return part time to his physically demanding job as a window washer. And Ronald is crediting his speedy recovery to a University of Calgary clinic that is poised to change the way acute knee injuries are treated in Alberta. One year into its operation, the Acute Knee Injury Clinic has received its first report card and the results are impressive. The clinic is clocking less than eight days from the moment a patient is injured to their first appointment. That's an incredible feat, considering that patients in the rest of the system can wait up to seven months for care.

Remember when Marcus Browning's equaliser silenced Villa Park? It may have been almost 19 years ago, but Marcus Browning still remembers it vividly – and with good reason. It was the day the up-and-coming 21-year-old silenced most of a 27,000 crowd at Villa Park by scoring the goal which earned Bristol Rovers a third round replay in their FA Cup clash at Aston Villa. Browning, who now runs a window-cleaning business in the Bournemouth area, is still involved in football and coaches the Cherries' under-13 and under-16s sides. And he doesn't rule out his old club giving Villa another run for their money this time around. "Villa aren't having a great season and won't be used to somewhere like the Memorial Stadium. The pressure will be on them because the whole country will be expecting them to win," he said. "I know Rovers haven't had a great time either so far. "But it's amazing how one good cup result against a bigger club can help to turn your season around."

In Years Past: In 1912, one man was fatally injured and another was suffering from severe injuries as a result of a window cleaner falling four stories to the sidewalk in Buffalo two afternoons ago. William Page was cleaning windows on the outside of the Ellicott Square building when he lost his balance and fell. He landed on top of Charles Lund who was waiting for a street car. Both men were knocked to the pavement. Page died of a fracture of the skull and severe internal injuries. Such an accident would have been impossible had the windows been installed with the window cleaning device recently perfected by Milo Harris of Jamestown and on which patents were pending. It was one of the greatest labor saving devices ever invented.

Ann Romney's relatives in Britain help Mitt play the Welsh card: Edward Davies went on to live the classic "American dream" immigrant success story. Mr Davies co-founded Jered Industries to service the car industry in 1946 after serving in the naval engineering corps in the Second World War. Under his direction, the company rapidly expanded beyond the motor business. He worked on a docking simulator for the Gemini space capsule's first flight in 1965 and designed several key mechanical systems that are still used on US aircraft carriers today. Ever the inventor, Mr Davies also developed products and registered patents for, among other things, automated window washing systems for high rise offices, fin stabilisers for yachts, a high performance golf cart, an underwater fishing spear gun and a lawn sprinkler system.

Experts call to narrow risk in windows: ABU DHABI - Windows that open wide at the bottom are popular in the UAE, but they can be dangerous for children if preventative measures are not taken, experts say. After a spate of accidents in which children have fallen to their deaths from windows, home-safety experts and builders said this week that top-hung windows, which swing open at the bottom, should not be allowed to open more than 10 centimetres. Also called awning windows, they are common on the glass-facade buildings that dominate the country's skylines. But the size of the openings is not regulated. "Top-hung windows can be safe even without a lot of investment," said Markus Erhardt, the tendering manager for Folcra Beach, a maker of aluminium architectural facades, doors and windows in Abu Dhabi. "In fact, normally the top-hung window is not as dangerous as a side-hung window because the opening should be regulated. Surely there is a need for making stricter regulations."

This week, the Government announced it would begin enforcing new building codes early next year that will require windows open only to the internationally recommended 10cm. Mr Erhardt said the prevalence of top-hung windows could be attributed to the local preference for smooth facades. "It's mostly an aesthetic choice," he said. "What I've realised in my many years here is that people prefer to see only glass. Also, whatever sticks out of a facade will gather dust on it. "No one wants something that will always look dirty." The Department of Municipal Affairs is working to implement rules for property owners that will require flats with occupants younger than 10 to have window locks installed. Five children have fallen to their deaths from high-rise buildings in the past three weeks, all in Sharjah.

Dads' efforts to baby proof their houses spawn a million dollar business: A lot of people go through the ritual of babyproofing their homes. But for St. Louis fathers Tim Barklage and Kevin Tibbs, comparing notes on where to keep household chemicals turned into a wider-ranging idea. The result of those discussions was Better Life, an eco-friendly cleaning products company they founded in 2008 with a lot of science, a fair amount of social consciousness and a dash of groan-inducingly bad puns. (Their window cleaner is named "I Can See Clearly. Wow!" while their wood polish goes by the moniker "Oak-y Dokey.") Whimsicality aside, Better Life is serious business. The enterprise has expanded from four product lines at its inception to 15 and is featured in about 2,000 or so stores in 49 states. The business has more than doubled in size just this year and now grosses over a million dollars annually.

Home cleaning the healthy way: When Cornell residents Steve (left) and Patricia Hess first experimented with making handmade home cleaning products they weren’t in it for the business. “We were just tired of locking cabinets to keep our kids and pets safe, and concerned with polluting the air and water with toxins. Commercial cleaning products are labeled natural or are marketed as ‘green,’ but still contain dyes, chemical fragrances, and other unnatural ingredients,” said Steve Hess, a retired engineer and an active environmentalist with several local organizations. “It took us three years to formulate a cleaner that’s tough on dirt yet gentle on everything else.” Martin Centeno, owner of The Travelling Mop Shop in Agoura Hills, says, “Terra Firma spray cleaner is the best window and glass cleaner I have ever used.” The couple, who launched EarthScents early this year, believe the company can be successful while being socially and environmentally responsible. EarthScents cleaners are made from locally-sourced ingredients and sold in recyclable packaging.

Norman Frederic Rowe, of Gold Beach, Ore., passed away December 19, 2011. He was born June 17, 1945, in Boston, Mass., to Henry A. Rowe and Elizabeth Docksey Rowe. A "jack of all trades," Norman was self-employed as a music teacher over the years in Texas, Tennessee, Oregon, California, and New Mexico. He was also a minister/elder with various Church of God organizations since 1975. Norman owned Talent Music Store, Talent Music Publishers, and Norm's Window Washing Service.

Recall of one million cars: A Japanese car company was forced to initiate a worldwide recall of over one million vehicles affected by a design flaw allowing residue from window cleaners to accumulate, which can degrade the switch's electrical contacts and potentially cause a fire over time. This recall followed a global 2.5 million recall by the same company due to design flaws that allowed vehicles to shift out of park and engine stalls.

Window Cleaning News Update

On the job (Perth, Australia)- Samford Housewashing: Name: Rowan Macaulay
Business: Samford Housewashing
Based at: Samford
What services does your business offer? Machine exterior house washing, window and machine cleaned insect screens, concrete and paving machine cleaning, tiled roof cleaning.
What areas does your business service? Samford, Highvale, Wights Mountain, Camp Mountain, Mt Nebo, Mt Glorious, Dayboro, Mt Mee, Closeburn, Mt Samson, Cashmere and Eatons Hill.
What was your first job? Working in a supermarket in Rockhampton at age 13.
How did you get into your current line of work? In March 1988, I asked Mrs Bev Austin from Mt Nebo if she wanted her windows cleaned as I was thinking of starting a window cleaning business. If she had said no I would have left it at that. Fortunately she said yes! Soon after, Mrs Hilary Harley of Samford asked me if I would wash her house which was a challenge but achievable. 5000 homes later I am still cleaning!
Why is a business like yours so important? As a service industry, housewashing evolved in the late 1980s with the need to present homes for sale and preserve their original cleanliness, largely affected by the humidity of Queensland. Windows and screens have become predominant features of homes as people embrace views, breezes and bug prevention which has led to an increase in the window/screen cleaning business. Water saving cleaning machines evolved and became mandatory in the past two years in South East Queensland’s water crisis, allowing our industry to continue to function.
Before your current job, what were your previous occupations? I worked 15 years in various retail management roles with retailers Myer, Norman Ross and as a store manager of Waltons Fortitude Valley department store. This latter store closed in 1988 and, along with 30 of my staff, I was retrenched. It was time to take my future into my own hands and start a window cleaning business.
What do your customers most appreciate about your services? Returning their phone calls, punctuality, proudly aiming to be a perfectionist with my work and presenting their house as clean as I would want my house. Also, to take an interest in them as individuals as well as clients! I find having a web site is of benefit to them as well.
What is the best part of your job? Looking back at the end of the day and seeing how I have transformed a tired looking house into something fresh, as though the house has been repainted, with the resultant praise from the owner. And, to top it off, being paid!
What advice would you give to anyone considering becoming a house washer? Be prepared for hard work but if you want to grow the business, you will need to achieve the holy grail of receiving referrals from people you have just worked for.
If you didn’t work in your current job, what job would you like to do? Having an events management company.

Window cleaner just hanging around: Sebastien Kazimierski, who has been working as an abseiler/cleaner for close to 10 years, could imagine doing any other job. “This is the first job I've ever had that I will never get bored of,” Mr Kazimierski said. “I like the heights, working on my own, having to look after my own safety and the beach views.” Mr Kazimierski, who was cleaning the Tweed Ultima apartments yesterday with three of his fellow workmates at All Industrial Abseilers, began abseiling in his native Poland and has loved the job ever since. “I started out rock climbing before one of my friends asked me to do some abseiling for his business,” he said.
“I had a break from doing it when I came to Australia and I really missed it. “I really couldn't wait to get back up here. “It's the best thing that I could ever do.” Mr Kazimierski has worked up and down the Gold Coast, but especially loves coming to the Tweed to work. “I love working anywhere near the beach.” His workmate Tom Kane said the weather had been a small issue yesterday, with the early morning rain halting their progress before the wind caused them to be very cautious. “It's pretty hard working when it's windy like this,” Mr Kane said. “You definitely can't work when it's too windy, otherwise your ropes end up getting tangled with the other guys and you can get dragged. It's too dangerous.”

Nuneaton cleaning company boss nominate for award: A Nuneaton businesswoman, who set up a cleaning company with her husband, has been nominated for a top award. The managing director of Reflekt Cleaning, Helen Quinney, of Stockingford, is shortlisted in the Business Person of the Year category for the Midland Business Awards. Reflekt is a commercial window cleaning company based at Haunchwood Park Industrial Estate, in Galley Common, which offers services across the Midlands. Helen set up the company three years ago with her husband, Wayne, a former window cleaner. Both work as joint directors in operations and business strategy. The company has seen tremendous growth. She is among three finalists in this category: “Its a real honour to have been nominated and then shortlisted for the award. I am proud of our achievements so far and excited about what the award will mean to us.

Window cleaning with a difference: Glaziers have restored one of the most important pieces of medieval stained glass in the world. It's taken ten years of painstaking work to clean and reveal the beauty of the St William Window in York Minster. "The huge window, as restored, is amazing" says the Dean of York the Very Reverend Keith Jones. Over the centuries the St William window has been mended many times, using lead that has gradually obscured the beauty of the window. "St William Window." One of the most important pieces of medieval stained glass in the world. Found in the North Quire Aisle of York Minster. Window finished in 1414. Shows the miracles of St William of York. Restoration carried out by York Glaziers Trust.

Bowls, an Algarve invite for Hickey: SIDDAL bowler Graham Hickey (pictured) has been given the perfect tonic for a troublesome knee problem - the offer of a free trip to Portugal in March to launch crown green bowls on the Algarve. Twice Yorkshire Merit winner Hickey is one of 16 top players who have been invited to take part in a five-day tournament to celebrate the opening of the Amendoeira Bowls Club near historic Silves, a 35 minute drive from Faro airport. Elland-raised Graeme Wilson, Brian Duncan, Noel Burrows, Gary Ellis and Lee Lawton are among others who have been given the chance to compete for £5,000 in crown and flat green competitions running from Monday, March 16 to Friday, March 20. Window cleaner Hickey is determined to have some spring sunshine after having to cope with an increasingly painful right knee during the last year.

Gun gang members face long jail terms: Five gang members are today facing jail terms for their roles in a double shooting case which rocked Preston's Callon estate.Until today, the Lancashire Evening Post has been prevented from revealing the full story behind the street shooting which took place almost exactly a year ago today. It can now be revealed that gang members Lee Walsh and John Paul Newsham were convicted of wounding with intent after blasting Mark Whittle and Christopher Ianson at 2.30am on January 26, last year. The pair were acquitted of attempting to murder the two men in October but Newsham, of Devonshire Place, Fishwick, pleaded guilty to two counts of wounding, and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. Co-defendant Walsh, of Willow Crescent, Ribbleton, was found guilty of two counts of wounding with intent. He was cleared of the attempted murder of Mr Whittle and of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life. Mr Whittle, 29, a former window cleaner, was blinded in his right eye, while Mr Ianson, 27, received 40 pellet wounds. The incident is said to have arisen from a feud between Walsh and Newsham's gang and Mr Whittle and Mr Ianson after alleged name calling relating to the former girlfriend of one of their associates - Mr Whittle's sister.

Plain abseiling at the town hall: BOLTON Town Hall is not your everyday abseiling venue. But a team of stone masons are using ropes to explore every nook and cranny of the building. They are scaling the heights to check the brickwork — which has not been examined for a number of years — ahead of possible improvement works at the town hall. Staff from specialist abseil firm Russell Finney Industrial Abseiling Services are supervising while inspectors from masonry company Stone Central, who have been trained in abseiling techniques, check the town hall for any wear and tear or damage. Bolton Council says the move will save money too as the alternative to abseiling would be the erection of scaffolding — expensive, time-consuming and unsightly by comparison. The work started on Saturday with five men scaling the clock tower over the weekend to start the inspection. Russell Finney, managing director of Russell Finney Industrial Abseiling Services, which is based in Warrington, is used to working on oil rigs across the globe. He said: “This is the first time I’ve done Bolton Town Hall but we do all sorts of inspections, window cleaning, signage and more.

A BURGLAR who tricked his way into the homes of two elderly men in Warsop has been jailed for three years. Garry Chadwick (28), of Nethercross Drive, Warsop, stole money to feed his drug addiction, spending it all on heroin. Chadwick told his first victim, an 81-year-old man on Sherwood Street, that he was doing a college assignment on pit closures. Prosecutor Sarah Knight told Nottingham Crown Court on Monday how the man invited Chadwick into his house because he recognised him from window cleaning he had done with his father. "He asked for some writing paper then some tissues but both were at hand," said Miss Knight. "So he said he was allergic to tissues and needed some toilet roll." When the elderly man returned, he found £240 of his pension money missing. Then in November of last year, Chadwick stole £40 from and 84-year-old man on Old Hall Close.

This picture appeared on the BBC News Site this week, with a few comments on what size squeegee should be used!