MatthewC
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I've held off reporting this as I really had to wait for a couple of weeks to let my blood pressure go down.
The early 12th Century Grade 1 listed church opposite is having stonework repairs done on its tower, thanks to an HLF grant. When the scaffolding was in the course of erection, some little brats cut the chain for the door in the 3 metre high sheet at the bottom, and climbed to the 4th lift of the scaffold, where they found the top of the west window. They then proceeded to kick the wire mesh which protected that window until it bowed enough to touch the window itself. They then carried on kicking, damaging the top two panels on each side of the mullion - the lead has bowed about 6" in from the vertical. This was not a failed break-in, it was wanton vandalism - they didn't try to remove the mesh and even if they had gained access, it's a 20 ft drop to the floor inside!
Apparently it is normal practice to not fit the scaffold alarm until the scaffold is complete, which is really quite silly as even now it is only active in the lowest three or four lifts - this could have been fitted after three days of the work, not after two weeks.
The window affected is painted glass (c 1870) and, as such, it is a specialist job to repair; there are only eleven ICON accredited contractors in the country who can do this work. It looks like costing almost £10,000 (incl VAT) but at least the insurers should pay as the policy only excludes theft (i.e. roof metal) when scaffolding is incomplete.
I am still going through the emotions :shock: :x :roll:
:twisted:
Matthew
The early 12th Century Grade 1 listed church opposite is having stonework repairs done on its tower, thanks to an HLF grant. When the scaffolding was in the course of erection, some little brats cut the chain for the door in the 3 metre high sheet at the bottom, and climbed to the 4th lift of the scaffold, where they found the top of the west window. They then proceeded to kick the wire mesh which protected that window until it bowed enough to touch the window itself. They then carried on kicking, damaging the top two panels on each side of the mullion - the lead has bowed about 6" in from the vertical. This was not a failed break-in, it was wanton vandalism - they didn't try to remove the mesh and even if they had gained access, it's a 20 ft drop to the floor inside!
Apparently it is normal practice to not fit the scaffold alarm until the scaffold is complete, which is really quite silly as even now it is only active in the lowest three or four lifts - this could have been fitted after three days of the work, not after two weeks.
The window affected is painted glass (c 1870) and, as such, it is a specialist job to repair; there are only eleven ICON accredited contractors in the country who can do this work. It looks like costing almost £10,000 (incl VAT) but at least the insurers should pay as the policy only excludes theft (i.e. roof metal) when scaffolding is incomplete.
I am still going through the emotions :shock: :x :roll:
:twisted: Matthew