Posts In: News

A beautiful dial restoration, St James Church, Goffs Oak, Hertfordshire

May 20, 2015 Heritage, News

Smith of Derby clock-makers have completed a beautiful dial restoration and provided the client with the opportunity to save funds for other projects in the process.Martin Butchers, Technical Sales Engineer for the South, was asked by St James’ Church in Goffs Oak, Hertfordshire, to visit and inspect the clock, with a view to repairing the movement and restoring the clock to good working order. On close inspection Martin saw that the clock dial had weathered badly and was in great need of restoration, and because there were other works taking place at the church which required scaffolding, he suggested that…

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New Smith of Derby clock built for its old home – now owned by award winning restaurant L’escargot bleu

May 11, 2015 Creative, News

New Smith of Derby clock built for its old home – now owned by award winning restaurant L’escargot bleu. Just like the hands of a clock, what goes around comes around. So when we were called out to build a new clock for top Edinburgh restaurant L’escargot bleu, it was like stepping back in time. It emerged that the restaurant is housed in the former home of James Ritchie & Son, a Smith of Derby company and now based in nearby Broxburn, and the clock they were replacing was a James Ritchie original that had stood there for decades. Tony…

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Clock dials at Chetwynd, Shropshire restored to former glory

February 13, 2015 Heritage, News

“The difference between before and after is stark. We have been associated with the church for many years and the last time the clock dials were restored was in 1970, and therefore an extensive amount of work needed to be carried out.” – Keith Cotton, Technical Sales Engineer

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Helping you keep your clock working into the Spring

February 13, 2015 Creative, Heritage, News, Public, Traditional

A stopped or malfunctioning clock isn’t just about having the time wrong – it sends a negative message to the community. It concerns and frustrates people.

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Stunning Herefordshire bull weathervane restored along with the clock and turret it stands on

February 13, 2015 News, Public

Restored and re-gilded in gold leaf, the bull weathervane will stand proudly on the turret clock for years to come.

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St. Thomas’ church clock dials are given timely repairs

January 9, 2015 Heritage, News

“This is a real help in our final stages of fundraising for repair of the clock. It’s great that our neighbouring buildings for worship are landmarks in the centre of Wednesfield, and we hope that our Sikh friends will be able to join us in celebrating when the clock is restored and working again.” – Revd Nick Watson

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Smith of Derby Celebrates Founder’s 200th Birthday

December 19, 2013 Heritage, News

It has become a name which in the world of clockmaking is synonymous with quality and heritage, and on Thursday 19th December 2013 Smith of Derby celebrated the birthday of the man who began the dynasty 200 years ago. John Smith I was born on 21st December 1813, and aged around 27 left his employer, the clockmakers Whitehurst of Derby, to set up on his own in Nun’s Street, Derby. He gave rise to a company which, through five generations, has flourished to become a successful global business. Still family owned, it has produced some of the world’s most iconic…

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Smith of Derby Acquires James Ritchie & Son Clockmakers

November 4, 2013 Heritage, News

On November 1st, Smith of Derby, the world-renowned clockmaker, showed its support of British manufacturing with the acquisition of James Ritchie & Son, Scotland’s oldest turret clock manufacturer. The James Ritchie & Son brand and name will continue to be used, and the Edinburgh company will be supported by Smith of Derby from its base in the Midlands. These developments build on many years of collaboration between the two companies. The move helps to strengthen and support the long-term future of clock-making and conservation in Britain. Joe Smith, Director of Smith of Derby Limited, said: We are delighted to be…

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Waldorf Astoria, Ras Al Khaimah

August 28, 2013 Creative, News

World’s finest mechanical feature clock welcomes guests to the Waldorf Astoria, Ras Al Khaimah

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Marks and Spencer Kirkgate Market

April 30, 2013 News, Public

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…

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