Lincoln Cathedral bosses warn against copying 'urban explorers'
http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk...opying-urban/story-13280560-detail/story.html
Even though they obviously read the article, it looks like the office chimp was entrusted to write this one up, with such pearlers as...
PHOTOS of gargoyles looming out of the darkness, the interior of Lincoln Cathedral at night and panoramic views of the city have been posted online.
They were taken by so-called urban explorers who seemingly scaled a 100ft wall to reach the roof of the cathedral.
Urban explorers have targeted Lincoln Cathedral
• • • •
The series of 26 images show dawn views of Lincoln, shadowy passageways and close-ups of St Hugh of Avalon, all taken by mysterious invaders calling themselves "Horus".
One photo captioned on www.28dayslater.co.uk – a forum for so-called urban explorers – showing a gargoyle says: "What nightmares are made of." While another showing a dragon calls it "a personal favourite".
On the blog it is claimed the pictures were taken in August after an episode of Top Gear featured the historic building.
The exploration was dedicated to a fellow urban explorer and professional climber Jim Smith, 30, known as Soloman. He died in August last year.
The blog speaks with reverence about the cathedral, calling it one of the "finest medieval buildings in Europe".
It said: "The gothic West Front resembled a fortress – one with scaffolding gracing its exterior. An opportunity to climb Lincoln Cathedral presented itself and Horus was in.
"With a break in traffic, we climbed past the CCTV adorning the hoardings and ventured upwards out of sight.
"Atop of a cathedral almost 1,000 years old, it's only natural to check the façade for a way in. At the top of the south-west turret with the statue of St Hugh above us, a small door was held shut by a single piece of rope.
"Heading down the turret's spiral staircase in darkness, we were inside the cathedral and it was eerily quiet. With the door to the nave locked, Horus caught some sleep and three hours later, we headed out to be met with dawn breaking over Lincoln."
Bosses at the historic building have warned others against attempting the same thing.
Chief executive at the cathedral, Phil Hamlyn Williams, said: "Entry to the cathedral was most likely effected through the intruders climbing the south-west turret scaffolding before it was complete. This was very dangerous and the scaffolding has since been secured.
"We have taken steps to prevent further entry into the building, but no damage was reported.
"Lincoln Cathedral is one of the greatest Gothic buildings in Europe and has held a place in the hearts of the people of Lincolnshire for almost 1,000 years.
"Visitors can enjoy the views shown in the photographs by joining roof tours that are available daily within the normal entry charge.
"We have also placed the panoramic view from St Hugh at the foot of the scaffold, where it too can be enjoyed in safety."
City MP Karl McCartney said: "While I can understand the excitement and thrill of accessing such private buildings, I am also aware of the damage they might cause both in accessing and climbing on private property, as well as personal damage to themselves."
http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk...opying-urban/story-13280560-detail/story.html
Even though they obviously read the article, it looks like the office chimp was entrusted to write this one up, with such pearlers as...
PHOTOS of gargoyles looming out of the darkness, the interior of Lincoln Cathedral at night and panoramic views of the city have been posted online.
They were taken by so-called urban explorers who seemingly scaled a 100ft wall to reach the roof of the cathedral.
Urban explorers have targeted Lincoln Cathedral
• • • •
The series of 26 images show dawn views of Lincoln, shadowy passageways and close-ups of St Hugh of Avalon, all taken by mysterious invaders calling themselves "Horus".
One photo captioned on www.28dayslater.co.uk – a forum for so-called urban explorers – showing a gargoyle says: "What nightmares are made of." While another showing a dragon calls it "a personal favourite".
On the blog it is claimed the pictures were taken in August after an episode of Top Gear featured the historic building.
The exploration was dedicated to a fellow urban explorer and professional climber Jim Smith, 30, known as Soloman. He died in August last year.
The blog speaks with reverence about the cathedral, calling it one of the "finest medieval buildings in Europe".
It said: "The gothic West Front resembled a fortress – one with scaffolding gracing its exterior. An opportunity to climb Lincoln Cathedral presented itself and Horus was in.
"With a break in traffic, we climbed past the CCTV adorning the hoardings and ventured upwards out of sight.
"Atop of a cathedral almost 1,000 years old, it's only natural to check the façade for a way in. At the top of the south-west turret with the statue of St Hugh above us, a small door was held shut by a single piece of rope.
"Heading down the turret's spiral staircase in darkness, we were inside the cathedral and it was eerily quiet. With the door to the nave locked, Horus caught some sleep and three hours later, we headed out to be met with dawn breaking over Lincoln."
Bosses at the historic building have warned others against attempting the same thing.
Chief executive at the cathedral, Phil Hamlyn Williams, said: "Entry to the cathedral was most likely effected through the intruders climbing the south-west turret scaffolding before it was complete. This was very dangerous and the scaffolding has since been secured.
"We have taken steps to prevent further entry into the building, but no damage was reported.
"Lincoln Cathedral is one of the greatest Gothic buildings in Europe and has held a place in the hearts of the people of Lincolnshire for almost 1,000 years.
"Visitors can enjoy the views shown in the photographs by joining roof tours that are available daily within the normal entry charge.
"We have also placed the panoramic view from St Hugh at the foot of the scaffold, where it too can be enjoyed in safety."
City MP Karl McCartney said: "While I can understand the excitement and thrill of accessing such private buildings, I am also aware of the damage they might cause both in accessing and climbing on private property, as well as personal damage to themselves."
