THE next time you’re asked to do a spot of painting, spare a thought for Dave Aucott.
He’s landed one of the toughest paint jobs in town.
Not for him a few coats of emulsion on a bedroom wall.
Dave is spending his working days 100 feet above the ground, working on the distinctive banana trusses at the Galpharm Stadium.
He is working on a three-week contract to bring a new look to the Britannia Rescue stand.
And he worked on, even through yesterday’s torrential downpours.
Dave works for a Derbyshire company called Difficult Access Solutions, who specialise in jobs requiring the skills – and the bravery – of specialist abseilers.
While Kirklees Stadium staff complete a makeover on the corridors and concourses of the stand, Dave harnesses himself up and shins to the top of the stand.
KSDL managing director Gareth Davies said: “It’s not a job many people would want, but we all have different skills.
“Our maintenance on the stands at the Stadium are on a four-year cycle and this year, in the football close season, we are refurbishing the repainting of the Britannia Rescue stand.
“The abseiler is up in the very top of the stand and on the trusses. Part of his job involves checking for rust, which is treated with a special coating, and then repainting.
“It is a three-week contract and he certainly does a great job.”
The work comes as a new pitch is being laid at the Galpharm.
It will be next in use when Huddersfield Giants host Hull KR on Sunday, July 31.
