Changing a light bulb at the top of Salisbury Cathedral's Spire

[@SalisburyCathedral1]

Do you have a head for heights like Gary? You can book onto our Tower Tour and climb to the base of the spire: www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/visit-us/tower-tour/

[@kathyrussell9610]

I've been up the tower twice, and that was high enough for me. Thank you for sharing views of what lay ahead.

[@grahamholland7931]

Book the tour and climb, it's an excellent experience 😊

[@slartybartfarst55]

That scared me just watching it on YT! Men of Steel to do that so relaxedly!

[@Back2TheBike]

Been there, done that and got the badge to prove it. Highly (!) recommended.

[@JamesChurchCabaret]

We absolutely loved our Tower Tour! We visited a few days after Notre Dame's spire collapsed, making our trip especially poignant. As we were the only two people there, we essentially got a private tour!

[@modifidious666]

Amazing how brits made that with ropes and wood, just incredible. British heritage must be preserved.

[@Back2TheBike]

Never realised it took 3 men to change a light bulb 😊 Well done.

[@sourcererseven3858]

One of them to change it, one to paint the door, and one to upload it to KZbin 🤣

[@swimminlane3566]

The fourth one on the ground leaning on a shovel

[@raymondo162]

Never realised it took 4 men ........HALF A DAY ............. to change a light bulb

[@UKAviationNews]

what a joke!

[@AB-hu2uw]

would love to see the bill

[@ajons190]

I felt a bit queasy watching it on YT, so I can only admire you guys!

[@theinspector1023]

Only a bit queasy? I had to hide behind the sofa!

[@philthycat1408]

One eye closed and toes curled 🫣

[@cathydyer3774]

😁​@@theinspector1023

[@cathydyer3774]

​@@philthycat1408😁

[@stevekelly5166]

That was worse than seeing the Daleks appear!

[@towerdave4836]

Jeez, felt sick just watching the top bit. Respect!

[@dontuno]

Thanks for doing the necessary and putting your faith in the integrity of the mortar, steel and other elements that must surely deteriorate over time. Please don't bother contacting me if you need any help! 😂

[@PhillipYewTree]

I’m sitting in my arm chair, safe and sound, but my stomach is turning. Fred Dibnah would admire you for this 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@hetrodoxlysonov-wh9oo]

Fred would have shined up a ladder on the outside of the cathedral but to be fair he'd have worn his safety cap.

[@stevekelly5166]

Fred would have knocked a few stones out at the base and set fire to it. And it might have roughly fallen where he intended it to.

[@apacherider7110]

I would be crying like a child if went up there. Incredible jobs guys.

[@chriskennard5920]

I passed the Cathedral on the day this was taking place and as I often do, I looked up to the spire and had to question what I was seeing...blimey you guys are brave - sooner you than me. Great vid by the way.

[@philipwhitty2838]

I drive past the cathedral quite often. I don’t think I’ll look at it in the same light again. Absolutely remarkable workmanship and a great film. Greatest respect to you all.

[@MonkeyJedi99]

Particularly at night, since they've changed a few bulbs. (Joke!)

[@copferthat]

No safety equipment for the amazing souls who built that majestic structure in the first place. What astonishing men they must have been

[@tonyroberts3926]

There is a memorable section in "Sarum", a book by Edward RutherFurd, where a very old mason has one last climb to the top of Salisbury cathedral. Fictionalised history and very readable

[@ryansweeney5716]

Biblical giants don't need safety equipment u doughnut

[@RighteousReverendDynamite]

Their safety equipment in those days were Angels.

[@MrJasdog107]

You are no ordinary Clerk of Works . Respect to you for doing this video.

[@davidquirk8097]

Hats off to you all, my toes were curling just from the video! Thanks for taking us along.

[@androiduser4162]

💯

[@petersumerauer]

I visited Salisbury Cathedral some years ago. A friendly guy took me for a tour and we talked about the managing to build such a structure. We stood at the foot of the medieval timber-structure and he described how men were building up the tower cap in that days and how men do climb this nowadays to change the lightbulbs up on the tower. So this was a must-see. Thanks for the upload!

[@infadeldog13]

What a magnificent place to call work. So fascinating to see the internals of the structure normally hidden from view. A real testament to the architects and builders from the day. Great video.

[@Mark-ec3lp]

I live in Salisbury, not far from the Cathedral, and saw you climbing when you made this video. Impressive considering the time it was built, and there must have been amazing views back then from the same height.

[@Jeff-gn1xz]

Utterly terrifying! Kudos to Gary and the team. You couldn't pay me enough to go up there.

[@johnvanstone5336]

I have been up this tower with a group of people, wow, what an adventure and went out on the balcony and looked down! My legs were shaking but I am glad I did it!

[@weejim48]

My grand father was a roofer and steeple Jack. He would go all around our area fixing church roofs & steeples. He was fearless. And so are you lads that made this video. I on the other hand hate heights and my arse was twitching just watching this. 👍

[@Itsallgood842]

I do love to watch Fred Dibnah videos a lost generation of amazing men

[@AndrewNewbery-m2n]

Incredible feat climbing all those ladders and the final exterior section of the spire - and filming it at the same time! Thanks for sharing

[@beverleybutler7685]

Wowser what an amazing vlog, what a building! My stomach was churning watching you brave guys! Well done 👏

[@Braveheart7914-idfl]

Exceptional fellas thank you for sharing a piece of our British Heritage amazing to see with incredible skills from craftsman of old ! 🇬🇧👍🏻😉🙏🏻

[@ronniemorton-y5k]

I remember Roy Spring, one of your predecessors, doing this very same thing back in the seventies. No safety equipment, just a little fortification beforehand - followed by a lot more fortification up the local ale house after! God bless.

[@juliegale3863]

That made my legs go to jelly while sitting in my armchair. Heights have always done that to me. Very well done and interesting, what a view!

[@janoginski5557]

Think back to the incredible skill of the stonemasons & carpenters who built this what an astonishing achievement, not to mention working up to this height. It’s mind blowing. Brilliant, ecclesiastical architecture is in the realms of miraculous. I have been fortunate enough to have worked in a church many years back in Time, and it had a special atmosphere, definitely one of the most wonderful places to have worked. I’ve also carried out remedial work on an old bridge that was built in 1789, it was situated far out into the countryside, in a beautiful and secluded location. Two great memories it was a real pleasure to work on these old but beautiful structures.

[@colintuffs568]

Often wondered whether the original building drawings are preserved somewhere in archives . To replace the top of the spire drawings would be needed ?😮

[@rogernightly9097]

Well done, you are both heros for climbing right up there.

[@karhukivi]

I can just imaging getting up there and then realising I had forgotten the replacement lamps. In fact, no, I cannot imagine myself going up there at all... stuff of nightmares - amazing video and amazing bravery!

[@fritzhenning1]

My thoughts exactly. Everytime I need to do a 'simple' job I find that I have the wrong spanner with me, or I can't undo the bolt, or the new light doesn't work, or the screwdriver slips and gouges my thumb or, or....

[@37BopCity]

Wow! Fantastic video! I visited Salisbury decades ago, and stood somewhere down below admiring the magnificent cathedral and that marvellous spire. Seeing the fantastic stone and timber work erected by medieval builders between 1220-1330 really makes you appreciate how incredibly skilled they were such a long time ago. A job well done, lads! Fred Dibnah would approve!

[@cathydyer3774]

😲😲. Such calmness and confidence in the spire. 🎩🧢🎩🧢 off to you all.

[@Keyswiz71]

Anyone else got sweaty palms after watching that? 😆

[@rogerswyer5357]

You chaps are from another planet, really don't know how you do it.

[@NOELTM]

Clerk of Works " I feel like it's time I had a rise" Bishop " I agree - here's 4 light bulbs" 🙂

[@jennifermatthews1983]

Gosh, rather you guys than me! Well done all.

[@senseofthecommonman]

I seem to be getting height videos recommended at the moment. John Noakes on Nelson column and the young sailors climbing the training mast. So although this is mind blowing, that 15 year old kid standing on top of the mast with no safety gear pips this for bravery. Personally I get vertigo just watching the videos so respect to all.

[@stuartd9741]

Awesome video. Climed the tower in 2013. The steps do get progressively smaller. I've climbed quite a few of English cathedrals. Salisbury, Ely, Gloucester, Durham...

[@lukecuxton1514]

Thanks for the video, thoroughly enjoyed it ❤❤❤😊😊😊

[@stuartbrown1677]

Brilliant I really enjoyed this Thank you for sharing Stuart in Ireland ☘️

[@hb1338]

Thank you for this video. How wonderful to see the cathedral free of scaffolding. According to Wikipedia, the tower and spire were completed by *1330* - that is quite hard to comprehend. The courage and skill of the men who built the cathedral were both quite extraordinary; even today it requires steady nerves and considerable care to get up and down safely. Once upon a time, I would have been keen to get to the very top, but nowadays the climb to the top of the tower is sufficient.

[@StudentDad-mc3pu]

This is an act of faith indeed!

[@grahamhawthorn2320]

Just think of the men that built it.

[@stephendodds6480]

And all the safety equipment they had!

[@PepsT]

@@stephendodds6480 Or the one they didn't 😅

[@stephenfletcher4117]

I've been up loads of church steeples. Swapped out weathervains, louvres, masonry, stained glass windows etc. Loved it. I still do rope access(IRATA L3).

[@janicepoulson5183]

Phew, what a view, but it makes your heart go in your mouth, you have my respect going up there.

[@harrypalmer7169]

Wonderful video. The views were spectacular.

[@steelman86]

Drat!!! I was hoping for a night shot of the new lights working!! Great job and what breathtaking views from up in heaven!

[@sketchyhead5878]

Breathtaking, outstandingly competent, skilled, bravery , fearless and supremely professional. Apart from that, just a couple of blokes on a a ladder. I won't look at the spire ever again in the same way.

Oh my goodness guys massive respect I feel dizzy watching it 😊

[@WiltshireHare]

Marvellous bit of maintenance. Absolutely the best cathedral!

[@Allied-Aircraft-WW2]

Fabulous work. Keep it up. I walk past the cathedral almost everyday and genuinely appreciate the wonderful work you do to keep it in such great condition. Love the Perigees as well.

[@andywithers592]

I once went on a roof space tour of Salisbury cathedral. If they still do them, it’s well worth it. We went as far as the base of the spire. Mind blowing engineering at every turn. As for going out the weather door… I’m a climber and there’s no way you get me up there. Capo to the clerk of works.

[@helenclough]

Fascinating! Thanks for posting. 🙂

[@kenboydart]

So much respect for these daring men I hope you are richly rewarded for your work

[@Itsallgood842]

Amazing view from the spire of such a beautiful cathedral looking down on our beautiful flat earth thanks I loved watching this.

[@DeNilsPipe]

That's what I love about KZbin and what it's made for! Great content!

[@BillSikes.]

Id hate to have to do that, it doesn't look safe, hats off to you fellas👏👏👏

[@finlayfraser9952]

That gives me the collywobbles!

[@garrygreen3210]

Outstanding work lads.

[@LMacNeill]

Definitely a job I could not do. What a view, though!!! And can you imagine having been one of the people who originally built it 800 years ago?!! What an amazing piece of architecture, and what an amazing history! You can probably feel a real connection to all of the hundreds (thousands?) of people who have been involved in its construction and maintenance over the centuries.

[@fredMplanenut]

I was lucky to do the tour a couple of months ago. Fascinating history, and sad that at the bottom of the medieval scaffolding, one is still so lower that your climb in this video, thank you.

[@robertkupper1327]

As someone who abseils as a hobby, I am envious of you guys being able to climb such a famous landmark. I would love to abseil from such a height, just give me a long enough rope and my bridge rack. I have watched the video of someone abseiling "El Captain" What a marvel !!! Well done you guys.

[@stephenhamer1702]

Jeez....hats off to you guys....

[@FlyingDarkLord]

Incredible individuals! 😮 Not a job I could do!!! 😳😱

[@SimonPJohnson]

Great video. Not something I’d do but I have been on the excellent tower tour

[@patrickwalker2357]

thank you so much, it was exciting to watch

[@patrickrose1221]

What an amazing video 👍❤️🕊️

[@mikeyc1348]

Yikes! That confirms I have no head for heights. Thanks for posting, very interesting.

[@pompeymonkey3271]

Now I know how many steeplejacks it takes to change a lightbulb. I'm very glad that I'm not a member of that team! lol Thanks for sharing :)

[@kevinpalmer7452]

Had a guided tour 3 years ago fantastic money well spent.

[@FloatingCream]

You are something special; apart from being mad. Well done!

[@kevinhemmings5447]

Thanks lads ..What an incredible view from the top of the spire .😂

[@johnchurchward7255]

Well that certainly sets off the vertigo, amazed at the guys doing that. What baffles me is how on earth was the place constructed as it was started in 1220, working at those dizzying heights without all the equipment that is now available.

[@clivewilliams3661]

Well done, you have my deep respect, that is not a job that I would consider and when I look at all the work that must have been carried by trades people on structures and electrics it sends a shudder down my spine.

[@nellennatea]

WOW. Never seen anything like that before. WOW. They just one step away from the ladder to heaven, almost.

[@Mattie155]

Great stuff, thank you!

[@cncshrops]

I literally could not watch. Absolutely terrifying.

[@GalootWrangler]

It’s the season of scary movies, with none of them remotely this frightening.

[@martinc.720]

Could you watch figuratively?

[@TomLaios]

Rather you than me mate.Fascinating look at places rarely seen by the public.

[@nick8772]

Makes me appreciate how good Fred Dibnah was!

[@adrahc]

Hats off to you lads

[@civilbeard]

Very nicely done!

[@paulus894]

What beautiful work 💯👍🏻💯👍🏻💯👍🏻💯👍🏻💯👍🏻

[@nigel8247]

He’s knackered even before he even got there😂

[@jpedrocp]

Wow, amazing job!

[@Back2TheBike]

I did the tour a few years ago. Highly (!) recommended.

[@MikeFloutier]

Well worth reading Edward Rutherfurd’s excellent book “Sarum”, which includes the building of the cathedral

[@grahamrankin]

Also important to read William Golding's "The spire" to appreciate the work and politics of building this masterpiece---one of the greatest wonders of the world.

[@mervjames6183]

I thought Clerk of Works just inspected ongoing and finished works you’re a different breed

[@Wyndhamlane]

That was mind blowing to me. I can't even change the lightbulbs inside my house.

[@massimopalomba5009]

😂😂😂

[@martin1698]

Totally awesome well done chaps

[@philthycat1408]

Our old friend Mr Dibnah, God rest him. Would’ve loved this wee job. 👍🏻

[@TheBaron481]

one foot wrong and its a half day out wi' t' undertaker !

[@gordonmorrow4720]

I painted window exteriors on a historic building starting at first floor and working up to the top - 6 or 7 stories high. You kind of get used to the height. But I was never at 370 feet! That’s crazy high. Makes my knees wobbly thinking about it. Well done.

[@islandhopperstuart]

Anyone else remember a short documentary in the early 1970s about changing these bulbs? I'm pretty sure then the climber was Mick Burke (he later died on Bonnington's SW Face of Everest expedition) and I think it might have been filmed by the famous caving cinematographer Sid Perou.

[@hb1338]

I have seen previous videos of cathedral staff climbing to the top of the spire, but my memory is that they were a lot more recent than the 1970s. Of course, I may be wrong.

[@stewarthartley7613]

Absolute respect😊

[@marianbuller265]

That was incredible! I did not see much climbing equipment!!!!

[@dometick]

what a great video

[@jjefferyworboys8138]

incredible.

[@alan_wood]

Rather you than me! Thanks for sharing.

[@JoelRipke]

Tom Scott's newsletter sent me here. This is brilliant!

[@fredm5245]

Glad I clicked on this.

[@shaunsiz.itsbetterbytube2858]

Old Fred would have been proud

[@spwoody1975]

What a Construction

[@CarlStJohn-x9w]

Great video ❤

[@K1W1fly]

awesome structural detail! love it. Bit worried about a random wrench just lying on a platform part way up the spire - you wouldnt want that to fall on anyone below...