Smith of Derby News

Guildford Guild Hall Clock Autowound

Mon, 28 May 2012 17:35:58 +0000

It’s the symbol of Guildford – the Guildhall clock projecting over the High Street. But few know exactly how this ancient timepiece works, or that modern technology is now being used in a bid to keep it ticking ’24/7′.

Stories have been circulating over the past few weeks that the old clock is not keeping time and that it’s something to do with it now being ‘automated’.

David Rose of St Catherine’s Village was concerned and decided to investigate. He has written about his findings and published them on the community web site.

Jill Draper, Heritage Manager, Economic Development for Guildford Borough Council is delighted and has directed a few people to it after they’ve complained about the clock being wrong. Jill said “It makes all the difference when they can read about the situation and I think they find it fascinating when they see the photos of the mechanism and hear about the winding”.

For many years the clock has been serviced and cared for by Smith of Derby – a firm who has been in business for over 150 years, and who in recent years has added an increasing number of automated systems to the clocks it services.

The clock mechanism in the Guildhall is old (although beautifully made – some original blacksmith hammer marks are still discernible) and a few problems with timekeeping have been occurring for years. Nick Booth of Guildford Museum has been keeping an eye on the clock mechanism since the autowind system was installed and has been working with engineers from Smith of Derby to iron out a few teething problems.

Nick added: “We have had to allow a period of time for the autowind system to settle down. Smith of Derby, with their special knowledge of this clock, has been very helpful.

So, when you are checking your digital battery-powered watch against the Guildhall clock, bear in mind that if it is a few minutes out, it’s down to its long history. It’s lasted a lot lot longer than the timepiece on your wrist ever will, and, with the care it is getting, will continue to do so.

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Church Funding - an Issue?

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 10:24:35 +0000

Fundraising is something that is part and parcel of parish life.

Churches are having to compete harder than ever to raise money.

If you are raising funds for major projects such as building works or the creation of new facilities, please click here for our latest fact sheet and learn how the information provided has proved to be successful for Smith of Derby Group clients.

Restoration Time in Merthyr Tydfil

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 13:38:43 +0000

Merthyr Tydfil Old Town Hall is currently undergoing restoration, as part of the building's £8m restoration project, we were commissioned to provide four new clock faces which are nearly a foot across.

As well as the clock faces we also provided a replacement mechanism for the clock, the last one was installed in the early 1960's and replaced the original clock that dated back to when the Old Town Hall was built in the 1890's.

The Grade II listed Old Town Hall – owned by Merthyr Tydfil Housing Association is being transformed into a centre for arts, culture, heritage and creative industries. The building will also have a brand new paved area at the front and the roof will be tiled with Heather Blue slate from the Penrhyn Quarry in North Wales.

100 year old clock unveiled

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 14:38:30 +0000

We were delighted and privileged to restore the gatehouse clock at Bishopthorpe Palace back to its former glory. The clock was manufactured by W Potts & Sons Ltd (part of the Smith of Derby group) in 1913 for Archbishop Cosmo Lang, the current Archbishop Dr John Sentamu, spoke of his delight at setting the clock and following in Cosmo Lang’s footsteps.

"Generations of local people have grown up with this clock as part of community life, passing it daily on the way to school or work,” he said. “This restoration, which has been done with great care, is wonderful to see. Hopefully this clock will continue to bring joy to others as it chimes for the next 100 years."

Historic Clock at the School Yard

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:28:39 +0000

Historic clock winds up for first time in decades at The School Yard

The original 150 year old clock which has marked time for Harborne residents since the late 1800's has been fully refurbished with ground-breaking horological technology as part of a £30,000 restoration programme.

Originally manufactured by John Smith and Sons of Derby (now known as Smith Of Derby), the restoration of the clock at Harborne Clock Tower has been completed by the same firm. The works to the listed tower and the clocks are part of the £5m The School Yard scheme by EDG Property, which will see the redevelopment of the historic school building into restaurants and a new residential building.

The clock, which is positioned atop the landmark tower with four seperate dials , has a flat bed hour striking movement that drives the four dials through a double three legged gravity escapement. The work has the full restoration of the four dials as well as routine maintenance. The work has the full restoration of the four dials as well as routine maintenance . The four clock faces have been modernised for the new century with illuminated backgrounds.

Neil Edginton, EDG Property, said :"The clock is an intrinsic part of our redevelopment of The School Yard scheme and of Harborne as a place. It is a real landmark so its careful restoration was of prime importance. There is a lovely synergy in working with Smith of Derby after all these years and as we believe that the clock hasn't struck the hour since the mid - 1980's, we are delighted that it will once again mark time in Harborne village.

Oxford Tourist attraction receives TLC

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:36:14 +0000

Carfax Tower’s iconic chiming quarter boys and clock are in our clock works undergoing restoration.The figures are named “quarter boys” because they strike the chimes every 15 minutes, a spectacle which brings tourists to the tower in their scores.

Oxford City Council cultural development manager Ceri Gorton said: “Carfax Tower is a much-loved tourist attraction and it is important for our cultural heritage to preserve these historic figures as well as all that comes with the tower.The quarter boys will be taken down and restored to their former glory. The end process will see a much improved Carfax Tower, which we hope the people of Oxford will continue to enjoy, along with the many tourists who visit the city each year.”

The figures along with the bells, clock and clock hands are being restored.There will also be some stone cleaning and decoration works carried out at the tower.The quarter boys’ blue, scarlet and gold paint will be refreshed during the restoration work, the project is expected to be finished by the end of May.

City council senior building surveyor Jack Bradley said: “This is a really interesting project and I’m pleased to be involved in it.The quarter boys are a famous part of Oxford’s heritage and it is great that we are bringing them back to their former glory.”

Marks and Spencer Kirkgate Market

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:13:30 +0000

Marks and Spencer’s are re-visiting their past; they have opened a Victorian stall in Kirkgate Market, Leeds where the brand first started out over 130 years ago.

The Marks & Spencer stall is right besides the famous M&S clock in the 1904 building of Kirkgate Market.

You will be able to enjoy a coffee, learn about the heritage of the M&S brand and buy branded merchandise. As the new stall launches an M&S Heritage trail will also be launched with Leeds City Council. The self guided walk will start at the market stall and finish at the company’s archive, taking in places of historic interest for the company around the city.

Hull Guildhall

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:53:13 +0000

Hull Guildhall’s much-loved heritage clock no longer needs a helping hand after the installation of mechanical auto wind equipment, meaning the days of manually winding it are over.
The equipment, devised by Smith of Derby, was recently installed after it became apparent that David Stipetic, who has personally wound the clock every 48 hours for 44 years, could not continue doing so.
Once it emerged that Mr Stipetic's loyal service could no longer be called upon, Hull City Council decided that installing automatic winding equipment would be the most affordable option.
Mr Stipetic paid for refurbishments to the clock in the late 1960s and he has ensured that it tells the correct time ever since. Sadly, the time has come for Mr Stipetic to retire and he revealed that he is happy that the clock will be in good, if entirely robotic, hands. He said: "I am happy that this legacy has been future proofed for generations to come to enjoy."
Mr Stipetic spent 20 minutes winding the clock every two days and Hull City Council leader Stephen Brady paid tribute to his efforts over the years.
Cllr Brady said: "He (Mr Stipetic) has shown dedication and passion for his work throughout the last 44 years."

For more information on Smith of Derby autowinding contact us 01332 345 569 enquiries@smithofderby.com