On 29/07/2012 21:45, Roland Perry wrote:
In message , at 21:32:31 on Sun, 29
Jul 2012, stuart noble remarked:

Normally, taking the top half out is a pain. The inner sash is
normally the bottom one, and this is only held in place by the staff
bead. No chopping necessary, the bead just prises off. Also no need to
touch the parting bead.

The lower one is the inner one, but there are three substantial beads
holding it in, and as it's immovable maybe more than just the paint
fixing it there as well.

It would be unusual if the beads weren't easily removable. The basic
design of sliding sashes allows most things to be done from inside.
Also, as things stand, any maintenance or painting is out of the question

I'm becoming more optimistic about being able to open it half a pane,
and then use some sort of angled brush.