Daredevil pair abseil down Cirencester Parish Church (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Daredevil stone surveyers Arthur Needham and Philip Scorer abseil down Cirencester Parish Church

12:02pm Thursday 21st February 2013 in News By Ian Craig

SUSPENDED in mid-air on the side of a medieval church with just two ropes between them and oblivion is all in a day’s work for two daredevils.

Stone surveyors Arthur Needham and Philip Scorer have been abseiling down Cirencester Parish Church carrying out a survey on the structure of the building today and yesterday.

Arthur told the Standard the two were checking for damage and erosion to the stone as part of its five-year quinquennial survey.

“We’re just making sure things don’t pose a danger to the public,” he said.

“This is what we do all through Spring to November.”

The two carry out stone surveys at churches, cathedrals and castles across the South West and South East Arthur added the historic 15th century tower looked in good repair.

“It doesn’t look too bad,” he said. “Nothing too dramatic at any rate.”