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.
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
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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