As we prepare for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 the Parish Council plans to give the Town Hall Clock a facelift – tell us what you think….
Around the country councils are planning how they will celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022, marking her 70 years on the throne. The main celebrations will take place in June and as well as lighting the beacon at the King George’s Field Playing Field, your Parish Council would like to mark the occasion by refurbishing the clock face of the Town Hall’s ancient mechanical clock.
The blue and gold clock face which adorns the front of the Town Hall was last renovated in 1977 to mark the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, and sadly it is now looking rather tired. It hasn’t done too badly considering it has endured 44 years of the British weather! The Parish Council feels this is a very appropriate time to refresh the clock face and if we start everything now it will be back in time for the Jubilee celebrations.
Many villagers will know about the history of our wonderful clock, but for those that don’t we are very lucky to have the oldest working Town Hall clock in the country! We are told it is a very fine example of a working turret clock constructed in the late 1600s. The unusual flat-vertical bed clock design makes it even more special to the village. It still has a lot of original working parts from the 1600s as only pieces that are beyond repair are replaced. It has many working years left in it as long as it is maintained. It is wound daily by hand and was wound for 40 years after its restoration by Roy Millard, and is now wound by a resident of the village.
Sadly the striking mechanism at the turret was broken in a storm earlier this year, and the Parish Council is arranging the repair. Whilst specialist equipment is in place to carry out the repair, there is a perfect opportunity to remove the clock face for renovation. Now we need your input to find out what you think about the project.
What do we want to do?
Remove the clock face and send it to a specialist clockmaker for restoration. The clock face will be completely repainted and put back in time for the Jubilee celebrations in June 2022. To mark its return the Parish Council will hold an open day/s to enable people to visit the clock tower.
How will we fund it?
If the clock face is removed at the same time that the striking mechanism is fixed, the project will cost around £4,500. It will be funded from Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding, which is a contribution paid by developers building new housing in the village to the Parish Council. CIL funding should be used to fund new or enhance existing local assets. The money will not come from the parish precept which you pay via your Council Tax bills.
Tell us what you think
We would like to hear what you think about the project and what questions you may have by 1st September 2021. You can:
- email your comments via the the contact page
- write to the Clerk at 22 Inglestone Road, Wickwar GL12 8NH
- contact your councillors directly – visit Parish Council Members page to email them
- come along to the next Parish Council meeting on 1st September 2021 @7pm
- comment below.
what company have been commissioned to complete the work on the clock? I have recently visited a clock at Blyth which had been worked on by Smith of Derby, it was fantastic and i would thoroughly recommend!
I also support this as a grand idea. If you would like a re-dedication ceremony I’m happy to think that through or help in some way.
I fully support the proposal. The Town Hall clock is an historical treasure at the heart of our community. As its current custodians it is our privilege to maintain it for future generations to enjoy.
Thanks for the feedback Alan. Very poetically phrased.
Great idea to tie it in with the jubilee!
Thanks for the feedback Nicola.
I think it’s a great idea to repaint the clock face in time for the jubilee
Looking forward to the clock tower open day!
Thank you for your feedback Antonia.
I certainly agree with the other comments made already, it makes perfect sense to spruce up the clock face whilst the other works are being carried out. TheTown Hall clock is a landmark that is definitely worth preserving in our ever changing village. I’ll be looking forward to its completion in due course.
Thank you for your feedback Lucy.
Sounds like an excellent idea. We need to maintain the clock and it will look fab.
Thanks for the feedback Annette.
I agree it is a great idea while the clock is being fixed. It should be an integral part of the village history and therefore should be restored when appropriate.
Thank you for your feedback Simon.
I would like to see the clock face repainted to smarten it up for the next 50 years and this would be an ideal opportunity to complete this along with the repair.
Thanks for your feedback John.
It totally makes sense to get the face restored whilst other works are being carried out to the clock .
The fact the jubilee is next year makes this the perfect time to for it to be done , tying in with the last repaint .
Go for it I think
Thanks for your feedback Grant.
If you ever need someone reliable to wind the clock for holiday cover etc let me know. Thanks Sean
Excellent idea to get it restored at the same time as the rest is being repaired.
Thanks for your feedback Gail.
I think it would be an excellent idea to have the clock face repainted at the same time as being repaired. A lovely way to mark the the Platinum Jubilee.
Thanks for your feedback Rose.
😃 I would love to see the clock face repainted..
Thanks for your feedback Angie (twice!).
Just have to have my say.! 😃 I would love to see the clock face repainted..
Excellent idea to have the clock face restored for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Definitely in favour of this.
Thanks for your feedback Jan.
Having lived in Wickwar all my life i feel preserving such a central monument like the clock is a must, to have the accolade of oldest working town hall clock only exists if its actually working. This is a great idea to restore the clock face at the same time else it would be false economy to have to do it separately in a few years time.
Thanks for your feedback Robin.
As a resident of the High Street, I have noticed the deterioration of the face of the clock, therefore I would be in favour of the suggested project. This would certainly be a fitting time to mark the jubilee next year.
Thank you for your feedback Sarah.
I think it’s an excellent idea to get the face restored at the same time it’s being repaired.
Thank you for your feedback Gillian.