Conservation workers, Salisbury Cathedral

I've always had something of an admiration for those who work at heights. Not only do such people need to master the technicalities of their job, they also have to overcome the difficulties of doing it high above the ground. Consequently, when I see workers engaged in in this way and in this kind of location, I invariably take a shot or two of them. I've photographed wind turbine engineers, big wheel erectors, church spire repairers and conservation workers. I came across the latter again quite recently. They were on the west front of Salisbury Cathedral and seemed to be checking the statues and carved stonework, removing any loose debris.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon D5300

Heritage building maintenance

We came upon this man at work as we entered the High Street in Ross on Wye. He was one of three present employed by the rope access company, "Heritage Stone Access", an organisation whose "skills combined allow us to access any part of an historic or modern building, survey and document the findings in a comprehensive report, carry out repairs to the fabric, and mason, carve and install the stonework." The building he is hanging from is the Corn Exchange, a listed building of the Victorian period (1861-2), Italianate in style, faced in Boxhill stone and the work of the architect, Thomas Nicholson.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2