We’re blooming mad over faulty lift
Corn Exchange, Cupar ; Cupar Flower Show ; Bill Torrance chats to George Reid Photo ; WALTER NEILSON
THE secretary of Cupar’s biggest horticultural event of the year has been left blooming furious after an ordeal in which she was stuck in a lift in the Corn Exchange for over 20 minutes - and it remained out of action all weekend because Fife Council refused to fix it.
Wanda Wheelans (68) was helping to set up Cupar Flower Show last Friday night when she found herself trapped in the lift on the ground floor.
She had been carrying exhibits upstairs, where most of the displays are situated.
“The lift went up and down a few times and finally stopped at ground level,” she said.
FRANTICALLY
“I found I couldn’t get out, so started banging frantically on the door.
“There are no lights on the outside or any other indication that someone might be inside, so people were unaware I was there.
“I banged so hard that my hand became very swollen and I found it difficult to write for the rest of the weekend.
“It was only when one of the hallkeepers happened to be passing that he heard me.”
PROBLEM
Mrs Wheelans said that the hallkeeper called Fife Council, but they refused to send anyone out over the weekend.
“Most of the exhibition is upstairs and many of our visitors are elderly, so it created a huge problem,” she said.
“A lot of them were quite rightly very angry as they had paid to get in but couldn’t access the exhibitions.
“For this to be allowed to happen in a building that is used so often is totally unacceptable.
“The two hallkeepers are wonderful, but Fife Council owe us and the people of Cupar a huge apology.”
It wasn’t until Wednesday morning that the lift was eventually repaired, and the local authority later apologised for the situation.
Community resources supervisor Sam Dixon commented: “We have had problems with the lift in the Corn Exchange over the weekend and unfortunately it wasn’t possible to get the necessary checks and repairs carried out until early this week.
“We are also investigating improvements to the buzzer system which alerts the caretaker if somebody is stuck in the lift.
“I can only apologise for any inconvenience caused and we’ll be in touch with Ms Wheelans to discuss the issue further.”
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Weather for Kirkcaldy
Sunday 19 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 16 C
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