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Stonehaven Clock Tower Reopens

July 18, 2023 Uncategorized

The Stonehaven Clock Tower was closed to visitors due to Covid and was then damaged by Storm Arwen, when its top-floor window was blown out by the high winds. Now it has been upgraded at an estimated cost of £250,000. The clock tower, which dates back to 1790 with later alterations and additions is regarded as a B-listed building. It is thought to be the work of Aberdeen mason James Rhind, built by public subscription and known locally as Old Town Steeple – its two bells date from 1793 and 1887. Councillor Wendy Agnew, chairwoman of the council’s Kincardine and Mearns area…

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Where you start isn’t necessarily where you end up

July 18, 2023 Uncategorized

A PASSION FOR TIME – Jack Biggin⁠ ⁠We spoke with Technical Sales Engineer Jack Biggin about his time with the company so far:⁠ “I joined Smiths in May, 2019. I’d been looking on the gov.uk website for apprenticeships and came across a listing by Smith of Derby who were taking on clockmakers. The apprenticeship involved working at Smith of Derby and going to College one day a week over three years. I applied for the job as it looked like a good opportunity to acquire engineering skills with a specific focus, and I’ve stayed because of the people I’ve met…

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A Loss for the Turret Clock-Making World

July 13, 2023 Uncategorized

The clock world has, this week, lost an expert in the field of horology, Chris McKay. A fountain of knowledge when it came to turret-clocks, Chris authored a number of books on the subject, including ‘The Turret Clock Keeper’s Handbook’, ‘Big Ben: The Great Clock and Bells at the Palace of Westminster’ and ‘Longitude’s Legacy: James Harrison of Hull 1792-1875’.⁠ ⁠ He served on a number of advisory committees, and was kind enough over the last few years to share his expertise with members of our team and offer tuition to our clockmaker apprentices. As part of this, he oversaw…

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Restoration Work at Carlisle Cathedral

July 10, 2023 Uncategorized

Last week was a warm week in Cumbria, which allowed good progress to be made on the dial restoration work at Carlisle ⁠Cathedral – if also meaning the team got a bit warm in the process! ⁠The clock, a Wiliam Potts & Sons of Leeds mechanism, was made in 1899. Work has been carried out by Craig, Jason and Clockmaker-in-training Duncan to the dial and clock mechanism. ⁠ ⁠Craig describes how they replaced the Autowind Units for both the Going and Strike side with the latest AW11 systems, and also installed a PAR (Pendulum Arrest Regulator) device for improving accuracy….

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