Get me out of here!

Clambering up the spiral stairs to the top of the Priory tower, the vast majority of visitors (once they’ve got their breath back) are awestruck by the panoramic views. From the Cotswolds, to Bredon Hill; Clee Hill to the north on a clear day. Worcester, the Cathedral, so many church towers and spires, the flickering of traffic zipping along the M5 and the occasional buzzard or red kite overhead.
It’s safe to say that few if any look for an alternative way down whilst they’re up there.

On Friday that was the only reason the tower visitors were there, as the Priory welcomed Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service to test out their evacuation plans from the Tower.

Ropes were deployed from the tower to the churchyard below, a harness attached, and fearlessly a firefighter descended from on high, reminding onlookers of a spider lowering itself from one of the Priory’s high-level; cobwebs.

Safely on terra firma, the exercise was declared a success, and an enjoyable one at that.

Should anyone need to be evacuated from the tower, for whatever reason, all the knowledge and experience is ready and waiting. However, the stairs are the Priory preferred mode of descent in most circumstances!