Well a good result has been achieved in getting the Seaton Jubilee clock striking again. Thanks to the Seaton Mayor Peter Burrows, the strike has been repaired.
I had hoped that with the help of the people of Seaton, that the additional maintenance work required on the tower would have been completed at the same time as the clock mechanism was repaired, but this was not apparently in the plan.
Thanks to RBS scafolding for donating their time and the materials to put the access platform in place. Thanks to Peter Burrows for making my job of getting the strike working so easy.
Thanks to those people who did respond to my initial call for help that was published in the Midweek Herald. I am sure there is more that can be achieved in the area around the clock, as the garden and the fountain could certainly be improved. Perhaps there is a project that could be run in conjunction with the new Seaton in Bloom campaign.
This will be my last post as objective achieved.
Thursday, 22 September 2011
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
New Seaton Mayor Backs Clock Restoration
Some apparently good news in the press, in that the new mayor of Seaton, Peter Burrows has put his support behind the restoration of the Jubilee Clock.
I am hoping that we can work with Peter to make this project a real success in time for the Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
A more detailed breakdown of the work required and the estimated cost/time involved to complete should be completed by next week. Progess is being made, though I am sure there will be stumbling blocks along the way!
I am hoping that we can work with Peter to make this project a real success in time for the Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
A more detailed breakdown of the work required and the estimated cost/time involved to complete should be completed by next week. Progess is being made, though I am sure there will be stumbling blocks along the way!
Monday, 16 May 2011
Jubilee Clock First Look
Managed to get access to the Jubilee Clock Tower this week thanks to Steve from EDDC.
The first thing that surprised me was the relative abscence of clock workings, not that I think it is a bad thing. There are some electrical boxes on the lower wall, and this drives an electric motor, which is linked to the clock dials by a long shaft running up the tower.
On the hour, the electric time keeping triggers an electric plunger to pull on a cable which should also run up the tower, to create the bell strike. The cable has corroded at the top and now lies at the base of the clock tower. Looking at the state of the strike cable, it would be interesting to know who was the 'specialist' that did this installation!
The only access inside the tower is via very small rungs set into the wall, and I was not feeling that desperate to get up to the top.
The access door to the tower is in need of some refurbishment as the hinges have corroded and the lock needs work to make it easier to open. The exterior brickwork has some signs of errosion and missing pointing, and so this will require attention as well.
The main roof tiled aspects of the tower appear fine, and there was no sign of water penetration inside the tower, though it has been very dry recently.
Towards the top of the tower, the black painted woodwork needs some attention, though without getting access, it is difficult to tell if wood needs replacing, or it just needs to be painted. Finally, the weather vane at the top of the tower would benefit from a service and clean.
For nearly all of the exterior repairs/maintenance to be completed, access via scaffolding will be required, unless anyone can think of an alternative. It may be possible to get access to repair the clock strike cable using a cherry picker, though access from the public road may require additional permits. Would it be possible to rig up some safety gear inside the tower to make climbing to the top safe?
In addition there will the materials required to complete the work. Once we have a better idea on the detail requirements, the fund raising requirements to get the clock strike working and then refurbish the tower can we worked out. Lots to do and barely a year to get it done.
Finally, I think we might need to set up a Friends of the Seaton Jubilee Clock group. This might help to provide a focus for the fund raising efforts, and provide a platform for the ongoing maintenance of the clock and tower. As always, make contact by email ( see my profile for details ).
If you are reading this and don't live in or around Seaton, but have experience of this sort of conservation activity and can give advice, then please also contact as I would be pleased of any input.
The first thing that surprised me was the relative abscence of clock workings, not that I think it is a bad thing. There are some electrical boxes on the lower wall, and this drives an electric motor, which is linked to the clock dials by a long shaft running up the tower.
On the hour, the electric time keeping triggers an electric plunger to pull on a cable which should also run up the tower, to create the bell strike. The cable has corroded at the top and now lies at the base of the clock tower. Looking at the state of the strike cable, it would be interesting to know who was the 'specialist' that did this installation!
The only access inside the tower is via very small rungs set into the wall, and I was not feeling that desperate to get up to the top.
The access door to the tower is in need of some refurbishment as the hinges have corroded and the lock needs work to make it easier to open. The exterior brickwork has some signs of errosion and missing pointing, and so this will require attention as well.
The main roof tiled aspects of the tower appear fine, and there was no sign of water penetration inside the tower, though it has been very dry recently.
Towards the top of the tower, the black painted woodwork needs some attention, though without getting access, it is difficult to tell if wood needs replacing, or it just needs to be painted. Finally, the weather vane at the top of the tower would benefit from a service and clean.
For nearly all of the exterior repairs/maintenance to be completed, access via scaffolding will be required, unless anyone can think of an alternative. It may be possible to get access to repair the clock strike cable using a cherry picker, though access from the public road may require additional permits. Would it be possible to rig up some safety gear inside the tower to make climbing to the top safe?
In addition there will the materials required to complete the work. Once we have a better idea on the detail requirements, the fund raising requirements to get the clock strike working and then refurbish the tower can we worked out. Lots to do and barely a year to get it done.
Finally, I think we might need to set up a Friends of the Seaton Jubilee Clock group. This might help to provide a focus for the fund raising efforts, and provide a platform for the ongoing maintenance of the clock and tower. As always, make contact by email ( see my profile for details ).
If you are reading this and don't live in or around Seaton, but have experience of this sort of conservation activity and can give advice, then please also contact as I would be pleased of any input.
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
Seaton Jubilee Clock Next Steps
The feedback on the condition of the clock and tower from EDDC is both useful and also limited. I will see if there is more, but meanwhile, I think we need to make a start.
The obvious priority is the clock strike, which apparently needs a specialist to replace the cable which links the hammer to the mechanism. This is further complicated by the need for some access equipment. Do we have or do we know of a clock specialist that could complete the repair? It would also be useful to get a view on the quality of previous maintenance and if 17 years is a good life for the strike cable ( this assumes the cable was replaced when the mechanism was converted to electric in 1994 ).
It would also be great to get a view other than that from the council on what needs to be done to the clock tower now, and what are the likely ongoing maintenance tasks. Any builders and/or painters able to give some time to evaluate this?
Now I believe we can find most of the necessary skills locally, but that still leaves the requirement for access equipment such as scaffolding. It may be possible to get a good deal on this, though I think there will be some costs involved, so we may need to do some fund raising to make this happen. Any one experienced in this area?
Please contact us if you can help with any of these tasks. Check my profile for contact details.
The obvious priority is the clock strike, which apparently needs a specialist to replace the cable which links the hammer to the mechanism. This is further complicated by the need for some access equipment. Do we have or do we know of a clock specialist that could complete the repair? It would also be useful to get a view on the quality of previous maintenance and if 17 years is a good life for the strike cable ( this assumes the cable was replaced when the mechanism was converted to electric in 1994 ).
It would also be great to get a view other than that from the council on what needs to be done to the clock tower now, and what are the likely ongoing maintenance tasks. Any builders and/or painters able to give some time to evaluate this?
Now I believe we can find most of the necessary skills locally, but that still leaves the requirement for access equipment such as scaffolding. It may be possible to get a good deal on this, though I think there will be some costs involved, so we may need to do some fund raising to make this happen. Any one experienced in this area?
Please contact us if you can help with any of these tasks. Check my profile for contact details.
Thursday, 21 April 2011
EDDC Gives Update on Clock Repair Requirements
EDDC have now responded to my request for information on the repairs required to the clock. See details in the email from Brian Kohl.
Dear P Savage
I am sorry it has taken a while to get back to you, I have been away. In the meantime Jim Knight has contacted Simon Allchurch (the Senior Building Surveyor) with much the same queries. I list below his reply listing the repairs that are required in descending priority.
Repair to clock mechanism - a steel cable which is linked to the striking hammer inside the clock tower has snapped. This repair work can only be done by a specialist clock repairer and due to the height will require an access hoist. Quoted cost £460 + VAT excluding access equipment. Please note we would not allow any non specialist to work on the mechanism.
Cyclical repair and redecoration of external timber and metalwork, e.g. entrance door, weather vane, and timber columns beneath the cupola. (Approx £1K). Access equipment required.
Minor brickwork re-pointing and some stonework repairs. (Approx £2K). Access equipment required.
It was our intention to get all the work completed in one go, so that the access equipment or scaffolding would only have to be erected once.
If you are attempting to get a group of volunteers together, who will have the responsibility for co-ordination and Health & Safety issues? How will public liability and personal insurance be resolved? We will have to arrange to meet before commencement to ensure all issues are covered to everyone’s satisfaction.
I trust the above will enable you to move forward and I look forward to hearing from you in due course. Please note I am away from the office from April 28 – May 17.
Regards
Brian Kohl MRICS
Property Services Manager
East Devon District Council
Direct Line 01395 571585 (ext 1585)
Mobile 07710 286204
Fax 01395 517572
Dear P Savage
I am sorry it has taken a while to get back to you, I have been away. In the meantime Jim Knight has contacted Simon Allchurch (the Senior Building Surveyor) with much the same queries. I list below his reply listing the repairs that are required in descending priority.
Repair to clock mechanism - a steel cable which is linked to the striking hammer inside the clock tower has snapped. This repair work can only be done by a specialist clock repairer and due to the height will require an access hoist. Quoted cost £460 + VAT excluding access equipment. Please note we would not allow any non specialist to work on the mechanism.
Cyclical repair and redecoration of external timber and metalwork, e.g. entrance door, weather vane, and timber columns beneath the cupola. (Approx £1K). Access equipment required.
Minor brickwork re-pointing and some stonework repairs. (Approx £2K). Access equipment required.
It was our intention to get all the work completed in one go, so that the access equipment or scaffolding would only have to be erected once.
If you are attempting to get a group of volunteers together, who will have the responsibility for co-ordination and Health & Safety issues? How will public liability and personal insurance be resolved? We will have to arrange to meet before commencement to ensure all issues are covered to everyone’s satisfaction.
I trust the above will enable you to move forward and I look forward to hearing from you in due course. Please note I am away from the office from April 28 – May 17.
Regards
Brian Kohl MRICS
Property Services Manager
East Devon District Council
Direct Line 01395 571585 (ext 1585)
Mobile 07710 286204
Fax 01395 517572
Monday, 18 April 2011
EDDC Not Responding
Well, I really have tried to contact EDDC to find out what needs doing to the clock. No luck so far in getting a response. I can't imagine that it would need a lot of time to let us know what is required, as they had a cost estimate for the work already prepared. This doesn't bode well the Big Society and working with local government in the future.
I have asked Jim Knight to chase this for me, so will give it another week to get a response.
If anyone out there knows any other way to obtain this information, then please let me know.
I have asked Jim Knight to chase this for me, so will give it another week to get a response.
If anyone out there knows any other way to obtain this information, then please let me know.
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
Where to start?
So, EDDC and Seaton Town Council cannot afford to fund the necessary repairs to the Jubilee Clock in Seaton. The clock and tower will be 125 years old in 2012, the year of the Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee.
First constructed to celebrate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee, in recent times, the chime has stopped working. I think it would be a good idea to employ the skills of the people of Seaton to ensure that during the Diamond Jubilee in 2012, the clock and tower are once again fully functional, and in a good state of repair for many years to come.
It would seem that a number of other Seaton residents feel the same, as since the article in the Midweek Herald, several people have made contact.
As a starting point, I have contacted both Seaton Town Council and East Devon District Council to try and obtain details of the current maintenance requirments and any maintenance or servicing performed in the past 20 years. This in order to get a handle on what is currently required and what might be necessary to maintain the clock in the future.
Seaton Town council know nothing, so I currently await a response from EDDC.
First constructed to celebrate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee, in recent times, the chime has stopped working. I think it would be a good idea to employ the skills of the people of Seaton to ensure that during the Diamond Jubilee in 2012, the clock and tower are once again fully functional, and in a good state of repair for many years to come.
It would seem that a number of other Seaton residents feel the same, as since the article in the Midweek Herald, several people have made contact.
As a starting point, I have contacted both Seaton Town Council and East Devon District Council to try and obtain details of the current maintenance requirments and any maintenance or servicing performed in the past 20 years. This in order to get a handle on what is currently required and what might be necessary to maintain the clock in the future.
Seaton Town council know nothing, so I currently await a response from EDDC.
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