Window Cleaner Recovers From Horror Crash

Chris Stoneman, 62, is planning to ride 1,000miles in aid of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Leeds window cleaner recovers from horror crash to take on 1,000mile charity ride: A Leeds window cleaner who broke his neck in a horrific road accident has pledged to raise funds for the charity that came to his aid. Chris Stoneman, from Woodhouse, became the 2,000th person to be rescued by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) when the rapid response charity was called out to help him after he smashed into a wall on his motorbike in 2007.

The 62-year-old had driven over a patch of diesel, which his bike slipped on, sending him careering into a wall on a road near Settle, North Yorkshire. After a slow and painful five-month recovery, Chris has swapped his biking leathers for a cycle helmet and will ride 1,000miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats over just 10 days in July.

The father-of-two said: “I know it’s going to be really tough cycling 100 miles a day, but we are training hard and I just wanted to do something that would raise money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. “It’s a fantastic charity that provides a lifesaving service. Living where we do there are a lot of people who enjoy the countryside by biking, cycling, climbing, going horse riding and walking and you never know when you might need that helicopter.”

Chris is hoping to raise more than £1,000 for the YAA, which needs to raise £9,990 every day to keep its two helicopters in the air. Now in the midst of an intense training regime, he has given up his love of motorcycling for good and joined Airedale Olympic Cycling Club. He added: “The thing I missed most about biking was the adrenaline rush, but cycling really gives you an incredible buzz and is such a brilliant thing to do.”

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/Chris-Stoneman3

Tragedy Of Wakefield Window Cleaner Who Plunged Off Faulty Ladder

Tragedy of Wakefield window cleaner who plunged off faulty ladder: A safety conscious window cleaner suffered fatal head injuries after falling from his ladder, an inquest heard. Roland Jungbauer, 43, was a former scaffolder turned self-employed window cleaner with a conscientious attitude to safety at work, Wakefield Coroner's Court was told.

There were no witnesses to the fall, which happened as Mr Jungbauer, of Ossett, was working at a house in Grey Court at Outwood, Wakefield, last March 9. Householder Katie Mellor was out when Mr Jungbauer was cleaning her first floor windows. Coroner's officer Colin Mantell said when she returned home, just before 3pm, Mr Jungbauer told her: "Let me in I'm freezing." Mr Mantell added: "She opened the door and he collapsed in the doorway."

Mr Jungbauer was taken to Pinderfields Hospital at Wakefield and later transferred to the intensive care unit at Leeds General Infirmary. He did not regain consciousness and died from a severe, traumatic brain injury at LGI seven days later. In a statement read to the court, Mr Jungbauer's sister Sally said her brother was a "conscientious worker - always aware of his own safety." She added: "He used to be a scaffolder and was used to working at heights. He did not take risks and to the best of my knowledge he had never fallen from his ladder before."

Miss Jungbauer's life-long friend and fellow window cleaner Paul Wilkes said in a statement how he noticed after the accident that Mr  Jungbauer's ladders were broken on the third rung up, adding: "I know he only bought the ladders last year. He always kept his equipment in good working order." Recording a verdict of accidental death, deputy coroner Melanie Wiliamson, said: "Tragically, for some reason Mr Jungbauer did fall from his ladders. We do know the third rung up was broken, how that happened we do not know."

Original blog here.

Man falls through window at Regina's Central Library: A man fell through a full length glass window inside the Central Library in Regina on Wednesday. It's unclear exactly how it happened, but people around the library were shocked. Darryl Lachance walked into the library just as the man fell through the window. He said it was worrisome. "That's scary when you come downtown and see something like that especially at the public library," he said.

The fire department said the man was distraught and had to be restrained. He also had multiple cuts on his body. Julie McKenna, the deputy library director at the Regina Public Library noted staff worked fast to help the man. "The staff reacted quickly. They called 911," said McKenna. "We are in the process of boarding it up right now cleaning up the area. Of course there is some blood in the area, so that has been safely cleaned up." She said the Central Library is still open and they will have permanent glass put back in as soon as possible.

Window Cleaning Robot, Green Cleaning + Other News

Robots to replace window cleaners on skyscrapers: Dubai: Dubai's skyline will see significant changes when Gekko III and CleanAnt get to work on the city's high-rise buildings. The two are cleaning robots, specialised in cleaning windows and building facades using the latest technologies developed in Switzerland by Serbot AG. "We are bringing this new technology to the UAE where we've seen a lot of potential, especially with the skyscrapers and various architectural designs which are very hard to clean using conventional methods," Bas Schmit Phiferons, Serbot's Business Development Manager, said. Gekko, a disk-shaped robot, has a cleaning capacity of up to 400 square metres/hour, which is fifteen times faster than manual cleaning. It uses vacuum power to attach itself to the surface to be cleaned whether vertical, horizontal or slanted. The robot then uses a windshield-wiper type of brush to blast away any kind of dirt, be it dust, mud or even oils, a residue of fuel burning from cars and jets.
"No detergent is needed for cleaning, which is an added environmental advantage. The robots can use dry ice, demineralised water or water with enzymes to eat away the oils. They also can filter and recycle the used material to minimise waste," Schmit Phiferons said. However, other building shapes require a different method, and this is where CleanAnt is used. Facade cleaning is difficult, expensive and dangerous. The CleanAnt does this work safe and reliable automatically or radio guided, vertical or overhanging areas are not a problem for both robot systems. CleanAnt also overcomes concave and convex areas and obstacles and can work in heavy traffic areas. Although cleaning of skyscrapers is the main field of application of CleanAnt, it can be used as inspection or repair tool for dams and bridges as well.

More states requiring 'green' cleaning products: More states are requiring schools and governments to use environmentally friendly cleaning products, raising debate about their costs and benefits. Ten states including Illinois and New York require or encourage use of "green" floor waxes, window cleaners and other products in schools. Similar bills are expected to be debated this year in at least five states. A plan advancing in the Wisconsin Legislature would require schools and state agencies to use cleaning and paper products certified as environmentally sound by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or one of several groups.
Supporters say such laws protect the environment and reduce the use of harsh chemicals that can hurt the health of workers and children. Critics worry about the cost.

Rockline’s regenerated cotton wipe wins award: Rockline Industries environmentally friendly Regenerated Cotton Wipe has been named the recipient of the prestigious 2010 Visionary Award presented recently at the VISION 2010 Consumer Products Conference in New Orleans. The Regenerated Cotton Wipe was selected over four other finalists by attendees at the ninth annual VISION Conference, which was held from January 20-22 at the Sheraton New Orleans Canal Street. The annual VISION Conference is organized by INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry. The substrate for the Regenerated Cotton Wipe is made from 100% biodegradable materials. The blend is 25% Lenzing Tencel and 75% cotton. The cotton is produced from the post-industrial waste from the manufacturing of T-shirts, and the recovery process to regenerate the cotton is energy and water friendly. One of the other four finalists were: The Ultimate Cloth, Advanced Cleaning Technologies ... The Ultimate Cloth is a streak-free window cleaner that cleans and polishes windows, mirrors, windshields and glass as well as many soft surfaces such as leather and vinyl.

Cleaning Corporation - keeping homes and businesses in pristine condition: The Halls are something of a unique feature in Mayo — a husband and wife team running a thriving family cleaning business since 1995, and mopping up a bucketful of accreditations along the way. This husband and wife team have no problem working together, as each has his/her own work remit. Both devise strategy, Lorraine deals with finance, accounts, and HR, and John devises contracts and quotations, ensures standards are upheld, meets clients, and carries out work when required. The company’s window cleaning division includes a number of Mayo hotels. The Halls invested around €20,000 in a top quality ‘reach and wash multi-filter reverse osmosis’ system that allows its workers to clean windows from ground level up to 65 feet high. In our ecologically conscious age, the Halls have been doing their bit for the planet by harvesting rainwater for its window cleaning, office, and domestic operations.

Budding entrepreneurs set to spring-clean Plett (South Africa): KWANOKUTHULA residents Welile ‘Weza’ Nqolo and Melikhaya ‘Elvis’ Jacobs had a dream… and then set out to make it happen! They sought advice, did their own market research, prepared a business plan and registered a close corporation. And last week, the joint owners of Nqolo Jacobs Trading Enterprise CC, or NJ for short, signed their first contract in Plett. They are confident that their cleaning service, which specialises in window cleaning and the clearing of refuse bins and surrounds, will provide Plett with a much needed professional service. As both partners have worked in the cleaning industry and share a combined experience of six years in this field, they are able to offer a range of other cleaning services if required. These two enterprising youngsters also have their own transport and start-up tools of the trade. Their vision is to provide a consistent, reliable and high quality service that will satisfy Plett residents, businesses, local government and homeowners. Currently the partners are the only active team members but they hope, as their business expands, to provide work opportunities to others. Their rates are very affordable and their enthusiasm infectious, so please give them the support they need as a new entrepreneurial enterprise. Phone Weza on 083 749 3507 or Elvis on 083 773 3439.

A Yorkshire firm has set up a new website to gather claims from former coal miners who believe that solicitors undersettled their original government compensation claims. Text on the website reads: ‘Calling all miners suffering from Vibration White Finger? Did you receive an award under the Vibration White Finger Compensation Scheme? Did your claim include damages for services – everyday tasks such as DIY, gardening, window cleaning, decorating or car maintenance? IF NOT you may be entitled to additional damages.’ Jordans offers a ‘no win, no fee’ service for potential claimants.

A man has been struck by lightning in Sydney's outer west and two people have been hospitalised as thunderstorms sweep across NSW. The Ambulance Service of NSW said a 37-year-old man was hit by lightning while doing the washing up near a window at a YMCA camp in Yarramundi at about 7.30pm (AEDT) tonight. Paramedics were treating the man, who was suffering neck and shoulder pain, and planned to take him to hospital. Emergency services were also called to a house in Springwood, in the NSW Blue Mountains, after it was struck by lightning at about 5pm. "It's come through the window, it hit the curtains and ignited them,'' a firefighter at the scene told media at the scene. Two people, including a man suffering smoke inhalation, were taken to Blue Mountains Hospital.

Window Cleaning News

Can Swiss Clean really keep your windows clean for a year? Do you have dirty windows and mirrors? We found a product that is supposed to help. It's called Swiss Clean window clear. The claim is that it will clean and keep windows spotless for up to one year. Sounds like a miracle. But will it work? Let me try it before you buy it. The Swiss formula is supposed to form an invisible barrier to protect against dirt, dust and even insects. I got the help of my producer, Quita and some of her family members who happen to be kids. The instructions say to spray the cleaner and wipe it with a soft cloth, then polish well until it is completely dry. The Swiss Clean did a great job making the window and bathroom mirror shine. How long will the clean windows and mirrors last? It has been one week since we used the cleaner and after a week not so clean. We paid $7.98 for the Swiss Clean window clear and from the results I have to say it is not worth the cash. The cleaner did make the window shine, but it didn't last. Based on those results I give the window cleaner a thumbs down.

UK's most famous window cleaner: From Brookside Close to Coronation Street via Hollywood, Michael Starke has come a long way from his childhood roots in a deprived area of Liverpool. At the time, Jimmy was working on a little known Liverpool soap called Brookside which went on to become one of our most successful and much loved soaps. As soon as he saw Michael, Jimmy knew he had the perfect part for him.
Sinbad the window cleaner was only ever meant to be in three episodes of the soap but he ended up being in it for 15 years and remains one of Brookside’s most enduring characters. Even though he left the show nearly 10 years ago, he still gets called ‘Sin’ by people on the street all the time, something he tolerates with good humour. “I have such fond memories of Brookside and it was a great programme to be involved with,” says Michael. “I think for me personally the highlight of my work was the Jordache storyline, which as an actor was a great challenge. There was a great team who worked on the show and I feel very fortunate to have been part of it.”

Using window Squeegee's in art: A visual arts exhibition of new work by Birr based artist Rowena Keaveney is currently on display in Belmont Mills Studios. All are welcome to view the exhibition which will run until September 15. Artist Rowena Keaveny, originally from England, has been living in the Midlands since 1999. Having moved from Laois in 2003 she now lives in Birr. Rowena has always painted in a non-traditional way, often using a variety of different tools such as window cleaning blades and rollers. Although she now uses brushes and oil paint, Rowena coats the surface of the canvas with wood-dye which, through a dynamic chemical reaction, creates both texture and atmosphere in the painting. Rowena has enjoyed several solo and group shows throughout Ireland, has been the recipient of several awards and is included in various public collections.

Driffield man arrested in connection with alleged bogus window cleaning operation: A man has been arrested in connection with an alleged bogus window cleaning operation in Driffield. Police have arrested a 26-year-old Driffield man for fraud by false representation. It is alleged a man knocked on several doors in the Driffield area between August 30 and Tuesday September 1, claiming to be their window cleaner and required payment. It is alleged some home owners paid the man a sum of money, while others became suspicious and refused to pay the man. Police are now urging residents who may have fallen victim to the bogus window cleaner to come forward and are keen to speak to anyone who may have been approcahed by the man.
PC Simon Marshall said: "We have had many victims coming forward with regards to a man alleging to be their window cleaner. "Between 1pm and 2.30pm on Tuesday September 1, it is known properties down Meadowcroft Road, Lapwing Road, Fieldfare, and The Ridings were all targeted. "I am appealing to any residents living in Driffield who believe they were also targeted to come forward". A 26-year-old man appeared at Bridlington Magistrates Court today (Thursday September 3) and has been remanded to appear at court on September 11. Anyone with information is asked to contact Humberside Police on 0845 60 60 222 quoting log number 398 of 01/01/2009.

The students from Rockland and Westchester were ages 10 to 17 at the time of their eight-day visit in October. They've been learning photography from Ken Karlewicz, who is curating an exhibit of 50 of their images to open Sept. 11 at the GAGA Arts Center in Garnerville. Karlewicz has chronicled Rockland for more than a decade, from vanishing farms in 1996 to a 24-hour photo blitz of Route 59 for an exhibit at GAGA in the spring. But it was his day job, owner of Mr. K's Window Cleaning, that put him in the position to offer his students a unique opportunity. While doing an estimate at Benmosche's Wesley Hills home, he did what he often does - put the arm on a customer to help his students, some of whom can't afford pro Nikons or world travel. "Ken was talking about kids needing cameras and some of the photo shoots they were doing," Benmosche said in a call from Dubrovnik on Tuesday. "I told him the best place I know for a field trip is Croatia and that I'd donate money to help make it happen." He also offered his villa as their base of operations.

Cleaning up in Yorkshire: An industrial cleaning company which won Duncan Bannatyne’s backing on TV’s Dragons’ Den has expanded its operations. UK Commercial Cleaning, set up five years ago by Tony Earnshaw in his home town of Washington, Wearside, has opened a depot in Leeds. Mr Earnshaw established the business with £300 when he was 19, boosting the earnings from a window cleaning round to £6,000 a month then expanding to become a full commercial cleaning company. The company has recruited John Kerslake to run the Yorkshire division and has already agreed contracts with Burger King and Ladbrokes. Mr Earnshaw said: “John’s experience in the industry will be a great advantage in driving the business forward. “Our Leeds depot is a key part of developing our business plan to be a fully national company. This is a big step towards what we want to achieve.” Mr Earnshaw, and sales manager Stephen Pearson pitched their business to the BBC2 Dragons, asking for £100,000 in return for a 20 per cent stake in the business. Mr Bannatyne finally secured a 35 per cent stake and a role as a company director. Read more.

Take Five With Bill Hart: Born and raised in Canada, Hart started playing guitar at nine years old. He moved to the United States at the age of thirteen and was playing professionally by sixteen years old. His first professional experience was playing with his rock band in a pit for theater shows, featuring shows like Rocky Horror Picture Show and Little Shop Of Horrors. He has been featured on twelve CDs and released four under his own name, the latest, This Is Why, on Blue Canoe Records. The first trade he learned to do was high rise window cleaning. Did it for years and worked my way through music college in Los Angeles.

Enviro Glass Solutions are now providing a service where they treat windows with a substance called Tio2 which transforms normal windows into self cleaning windows by using nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is the use of particles one billionth of a metre in size. This changes the physical properties of the glass by chemically bonding with its surface meaning that grime will be burned away by a photo catalytic process triggered by the sun.
Untreated windows require cleaning up to fifty times a year to retain their clarity. Windows treated with Tio2 will self clean every time it rains (so somewhat more than fifty times a year in these parts). The process lasts up to two years. There are benefits both to the environment and financially. Employing a traditional window cleaner involves transportation, energy consumption and contributes to CO2 emissions. The financial savings are up to fifty per cent on traditional window cleaning costs. The process itself is environmentally friendly as it utilises inert products and decreases water consumption. The treated windows are brighter and clearer and you don't get a window cleaner staring in at you at the exact moment that you are doing something unmentionable. The treatment is available for both residential and commercial buildings. Enviro Glass Solutions Ltd.

Cleaning companies have been warned that they are probably over-spending on diesel and petrol. Steve Clarke, general manager of The Fuelcard People, said: “Any cleaning firm without a fuel card will be losing money, while even those who already have one may be missing benefits. Anyone who thinks that all fuel cards are the same is wrong and almost certainly over-pays as a consequence. Every day, thousands of cleaners’ vans and other vehicles are refuelled at pump prices, although discounts of 10p per litre and more are available. It is financial madness to pay for fuel without enjoying discount pricing.”
Steve pointed out why over-spending happens, saying: “When fuel cards were first introduced, discounts were rare. Now, savings of 2p to 3p per litre on national average pump prices, and up to 10p on motorway costs, are typical. Depending upon which card a cleaning firm chooses, discounts will apply across a national network of 1,600 or more locations. Too many companies continue to use the non-discount fuel cards they have held for years, rather than reviewing their options and saving money.” He questioned those who fail to shop around. “Fuel cards vary,” he warnes, “and one type cannot suit every need. A cleaning firm will not have the same specific needs as a haulier, electrical contractor or courier company. Significant per-litre discounts should be just the start of the service, savings and security benefits sought by users.”
And he issued a challenge to cleaning firms: “Call us and I bet that we can find you a better package of benefits than you already have. Apart from savings, free credit and ease of VAT recovery, there is so much on offer from dedicated account management and 24/7 account access to detailed, customised reports and state-of-the-art security measures. The Fuelcard People is one of the few fuel card companies able to offer truly impartial, independent advice, offering a broad choice of cards from leading brands including BP, Esso, Shell, Texaco, Diesel Direct (Keyfuels) and ReD.

New Window Cleaner Brightens Bridlington

Simon Gregson makes Bridlington a brighter place: Actions speak louder than words, in the eyes of window cleaner Simon Gregson. Pictured: Simon Gregson putting a shine on the windows of the empty Betta Sports shop in King Street. While getting business cards printed for his new venture, Yorkshire Coast Window Cleaning, he got into a discussion about empty shops. But he decided he could do something to make the town look a little better, got a list of derelict places in need of a clean and set to work – all for free. He said: "They might not be perfect but they look 10 times tidier than they did, just by having the windows cleaned. "It is putting something back because we have lived here a long time, although this is a reasonably new venture. "Plus it is a good chance to practice. "I am a one-man operation. I lost my job in IT at the end of January but it has taken quite a while to get all the gear together."
Over three days, Simon cleaned around 15 derelict properties in the town centre and Old Town. And he said he hoped other people would follow his lead, urging people to take more pride in Bridlington. Simon, of Seventh Avenue, said: "There is a lot of whinging and moaning, but people are better getting off their backsides and doing something. "It's better to be pro-active, even if it just makes a small difference. "If I owned a shop I would clean the shop next door. It could make no end of good for their own business."
Printing his business cards was Martyn Coltman of Burlington Design, who is chairman of Bridlington's Renaissance Partnership. He said: "I really admire someone who is prepared to put time in completely free to help improve the town centre and I hope it inspires other business people to do something themselves. "It is everyone's responsibility to try and regenerate Bridlington. It is the fact that someone cares." Simon can be reached on freephone 0800 411 8711.

Yorkshire's Biggest Liar is a Window Cleaner

If Steve Watson (pictured above) said he had cleaned your windows, would you believe him? For the boss of Clear View cleaners of Wetherby is officially Yorkshire's Biggest Liar. He won the title last year in a tall stories competition at the Swan and Talbot Inn on North Street, Wetherby, and he will return to the pub on Thursday, October 30, to defend the championship. His opponents will include Steve Burt, director of the Royal Armouries, TV presenter Ian Clayton, an actress and a landlord. He was persuaded to enter last year by his neighbour Dave Richmond who organised the event as part of Wetherby Festival. There was an eruption of applause when Steve finished his story last year about a footballer called Fio Rerdinand who was one of his customers."I was one of the last to go on," he said, "and I heard these thespian types telling very clever stories. I thought I had made a mistake in entering. "I left the audience last year not knowing whether my story was true or not. I used to have a lot of Leeds United players on my rounds. Michael Bridges came to have Sunday lunch with us and he was a guest at my wedding to Sylvie."Steve, 35, who lives in Wetherby, won a small trophy for his efforts which he has quietly hidden away. "I don''t think Sylvie wanted it on the mantlepiece," he joked, "and I don't want our two little boys to think it's acceptable to lie. "I have prepared my tall story for this month and think it is better than last year's. It again involves window cleaning. I used to hear and see a lot of things when I did domestic work."Now I just do commercial cleaning - large flats, pubs and restaurants – and do jobs as far away as Manchester, Warrington, Scarborough and York. "Mr Burt is again tilting at the title and warns: "Tell Steve to watch out – my story is a cracker. It's about my work as a SATS moderator in schools. But I think Steve was brilliant last year and deserved to win. "I personally love telling stories and used to make them up for the children at Alwoodley Primary School when I taught there in the 70s and 80s. "The competition starts at 8.30pm at the Swan and Talbot and customers are the judges. A special two-course menu will be available for £10.95.