Friday 21 December 2012

Pictured above is Roy Grosschmidt, who is probably Silsden's longest-serving, full-time window-cleaner. He became
self-employed 30 years ago after being made redundant. Others have been cleaning local windows longer than Roy
but not as their main or sole occupation. In the old days the big ladders were transported on hand carts as seen
in the 1930s photograph below. This window-cleaner is Tom Catlow, who is pictured at the cobbled rear of
Fairfax Street. Behind Tom are the backs of houses in Elm Grove.