Local employer helps church to provide a more illuminating service

The new chandelier raised into position. Photo: Stuart Littleford.

A lift company employing local people has been helping a Saddleworth church to provide its congregation with a more illuminating service.

Holy Trinity Church, Dobcross, has installed a new ‘state of the art’ lighting system the centre-piece of which is a magnificent chandelier above the main aisle.

In order to be able to change the bulbs and carry out cleaning of the chandelier a purpose built raising and lowering system has been designed and installed in the roof space above the church.

The hoist system has to be inspected on an annual basis by a competent person and the church has used the services of local employer Caledonian Lifts, through one of their own congregation who is a partner in the business.

The hoist in the roof space above the church, Peter Whiffin (Left), Liam Raftery (centre) and Caledonian installer (right). Photo: Stuart Littleford.

Managing director of Caledonian Lifts, Liam Raftery said: “I am a Partner in the company and a resident in Dobcross, after four years of working as the managing director of a lift company in London I was approached Caledonian to open an office in the Manchester area.

“After living in the hustle and bustle of London the thought of returning to my Saddleworth home at the end of every working day was an opportunity not to be missed.

“We have been operating in Glasgow since 1999 installing and maintaining passenger and goods lifts. In November of 2012 we opened an office in Oldham and we have been fortunate to secure service contracts in the local area, namely Scotts Mills in Greenfield, Ferranti and Oldham College. In a short period we have built up our service base to over 200 lifts.

“We now employ three engineers and an administrator all local residents. We are pleased to be associated with Saddleworth and look forward to working with local businesses in the future.

“Our aim is to take an apprentice lift engineer this year from the Saddleworth area and hopefully this will be the start of assisting local youngsters with the opportunity to benefit from an Apprenticeship.

“It has been great to be able to design and install this system at my local church.”

The church was built in 1787 and has suffered the ravages of time during the intervening years. During a quinquennial (5 yearly) inspection in 1998 the church was identified as needing major structural work to ensure its continued place in Dobcross for years to come.

It has in the past had major structural work carried out, it has recently had a revised heating system to the narthex (back room), a new kitchen area, new toilet facilities including for disabled persons, and a new sound system. The church has also been rewired.

Church treasurer, Peter Whiffin said: “We have been very pleased to use the services of Caledonian Lifts, who are also a local employer, as part of the refurbishment works.

“To date, in excess of £0.5 million has been spent on the church with the help of English Heritage and the local community with further work still to be done mainly to windows in the North and South walls.

“Without still more help from English Heritage the work cannot go ahead but a recent application for a grant is still under consideration.”

Author: Jude Gidney - Editor

If you would like to share an interesting story, achievement, photo or something you just want to happily shout about please send it in an email to hello@saddleworthlife.com We'd ❤ to hear from you!!