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Jubilee Clock Tower Restoration, Weymouth

August 28, 2018 Public, Traditional

As the summer draws to a close and Autumn gets closer, we look back at one of our most famous projects, which will have been seen by an unprecedented number of visitors during this record-breaking summer. The Jubilee Clock Tower, Weymouth. The Jubilee Clock tower is steeped in both history and tradition, standing on the esplanade of Weymouth, at the heart of the Dorset coastline. However, the clock originally stood closer to the beach before the esplanade was expanded and the clock tower was moved further back from the sand to protect it from the many weather fronts. The original…

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Community Clock Work, Northleach

August 21, 2018 Heritage, News, Public, Seasons, Time, Traditional

We were recently approached to restore the Cotswold Hall’s projecting clock, a timepiece which is a real focal point of the community. The clock, which overlooks the towns West End, was originally installed in 1897 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee and has a distinctive crown on top of it The clock became abeyant following extremely heavy snowfall in the winter months, which led to further works to being discussed including a dial restoration as the timepiece was in poor condition. This is seen as a significant part of a vital community building which is used by many local groups…

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Harrison Clock, Derby Silk Mill Museum

August 14, 2018 Uncategorized

In late 2017 Smith of Derby were tasked to remove the Harrison mechanical clock from the Derby Silk Mill Museum and complete a full restoration. Following this the clock dial and mechanism will be reinstated at the silk mill museum in 2020 when the buildings renovation is completed. The team tasked with the works are our apprentices, Tom and Sam, who are overseeing the project from start to finish. To help them with the project, clock advisor Chris McKay has been on site giving them both advise on various parts of the works, which will also help develop their knowledge…

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In the news this August

August 13, 2018 News

Our team here at Smith of Derby have had another busy summer, both in the works and out on various sites across the UK. All departments have been working hard during this heatwave on many different projects, with the odd ice cream being enjoyed along the way! Our traditional sector has been extremely busy with many different jobs taking place, both in the works and by our engineers across the UK. Our engineer Matthew Smith recently completed various works on a local church clock. The client, who happens to be a Fellow of the British Horological Institute (FBHI) and has…

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Clocks in the media

August 6, 2018 Church, Heritage, News, Public, Time, Traditional

The interest in both our clocks and clockmakers has been phenomenal of late, with some of our clockmakers feeling more like celebrities than craftsman! Stories have been run by several local BBC Radio shows, a local newspaper in the Scottish highlands and even a snippet on the local ITV news in Devon.  Whilst on a recent trip to the island of Jersey, clockmaker Paul Kilburn was maintaining clock at the Holy Trinity church when BBC Radio Jersey approached him for an interview. The interview explained Paul’s work at the church, and gave an overview of Smith of Derby. Not long after Paul…

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