Robert Cadman
Encyclopedia
Robert Cadman or Robert Kidman(1711–1739) was an 18th century steeplejack
and ropeslider
who between 1732 and 1739 performed feats of daring by sliding or flying down a rope from St Mary's Church, Shrewsbury
to the Gay Meadow
across the River Severn
.
Cadman walked some 250 metres up the rope that connected the 68-metre high spire on St Mary’s Church from where the rope was fixed to the ground in Gay Meadow
. Climbing up the rope, performing tricks on the way, across the River Severn. When at the top, near the pinnacle of the spire, he then fastened on a wooden breastplate with a central groove for stability and hurtled to earth along the rope.
On 2 February 1739 he plummeted to his death when the rope broke. He was buried in St Mary's Church, where a commemorative plaque in his memory may still be found. It reads:
Steeplejack
A steeplejack is a craftsman who scales buildings, chimneys and church steeples to carry out repairs or maintenance.Britain's most famous steeplejack was Fred Dibnah, who became a television presenter and minor celebrity as a result of his craft....
and ropeslider
Tightrope walking
Tightrope walking is the art of walking along a thin wire or rope, usually at a great height. One or more artists performs in front of an audience or as a publicity stunt...
who between 1732 and 1739 performed feats of daring by sliding or flying down a rope from St Mary's Church, Shrewsbury
St Mary's Church, Shrewsbury
St Mary's Church, Shrewsbury, is a redundant Anglican church in St Mary's Place, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England. It has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade I listed building, and is under the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. It is the largest church in Shrewsbury...
to the Gay Meadow
Gay Meadow
The Gay Meadow is the former home ground of Shrewsbury Town FC, a football club in England. It was situated just outside the town centre of Shrewsbury, on the banks of the River Severn and it opened in August 1910....
across the River Severn
River Severn
The River Severn is the longest river in Great Britain, at about , but the second longest on the British Isles, behind the River Shannon. It rises at an altitude of on Plynlimon, Ceredigion near Llanidloes, Powys, in the Cambrian Mountains of mid Wales...
.
Cadman walked some 250 metres up the rope that connected the 68-metre high spire on St Mary’s Church from where the rope was fixed to the ground in Gay Meadow
Gay Meadow
The Gay Meadow is the former home ground of Shrewsbury Town FC, a football club in England. It was situated just outside the town centre of Shrewsbury, on the banks of the River Severn and it opened in August 1910....
. Climbing up the rope, performing tricks on the way, across the River Severn. When at the top, near the pinnacle of the spire, he then fastened on a wooden breastplate with a central groove for stability and hurtled to earth along the rope.
On 2 February 1739 he plummeted to his death when the rope broke. He was buried in St Mary's Church, where a commemorative plaque in his memory may still be found. It reads: