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!
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
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.
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