Posts In: News

Time for Valentines

February 14, 2019 News

Valentines day, a day for celebrating love and spending the day with your loved one. Many people choose to take their partner to a favourite restaurant of theirs to make them feel extra special. But those who are out this evening, eating and drinking their favourite cuisine, are unlikely to realise just how close they are to a Smith of Derby timepiece. Over the years we have installed many timepieces in bars and restaurants across the globe. One of our most recent was at the German Gymnasium in central London, a restaurant which specialises in Mittel-European food for breakfast, lunch…

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Harrison Clock Visit

February 12, 2019 News

This morning, volunteers from the Derby Museum of Making arrived for a tour of the clock works. After a short introduction from Managing Director Bob Betts, which touched on the history of the family company and its commitment to the future of clockmaking, Bob handed over to Customer Service Manager, Tony Charlesworth, who led the nine visitors on a tour of the factory. Of particular note was the Harrison Clock. Tony outlined how Smith of Derby apprentices had been responsible for the dismantling, restoring and reassembly of the clock, and how the clock was back to full working order and…

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Kuala Belait Public Clock Tower

February 7, 2019 News

Having worked on all corners of the globe there are few countries which do not feature a Smith of Derby clock across the world. However, Brunei was one of those until recently. In late 2018 we were commissioned to supply four clocks for a prestigious public clock tower in the town of Kuala Belait, situated in the West of the South East Asian country. The blue clock drums were fabricated in house using high grade aluminium and finished with marine grade paint to ensure a high-quality product was provided. The clock dials were made from opal acrylic based upon a…

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Junction Centro Clock, Stourbridge Station

January 31, 2019 News

The ‘Junction Centro Clock’ is iconic to those who use Stourbridge station regularly. The clock, based upon a colorful railway theme, stands 3.5m tall by the station exit. It offers those disembarking at the West Midlands station a wonderful first sight, whilst also displaying accurate time for those catching forthcoming trains. Originally installed in 1997 by JB Joyce, part of the Smith of Derby Group, the clock is also supported by a train whistle when the time reaches the quarters and an emulation of a steam train passing on the hours. Whilst this audio noise is projected, the four signals…

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Memorial Clock Tower, New Zealand

January 23, 2019 News

A memorial clock tower is a common feature in many towns and cities across the world but particularly in Australasia. They are often the scene of annual Anzac parades, which take place in April to commemorate those lost in both World Wars. The picturesque town of Waverley, New Zealand, is no different as it has a memorial clock tower at the heart of its community. The tower was subject to a full restoration in 2013 which brought it back to full working order and visually making it look ‘as good as new’. However, the clocks chiming hours were not always…

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Training Week at Smith of Derby

January 14, 2019 News

Every January a week is put aside for training at Smith of Derby and 2019 has been no different. Last week all of our clockmakers travelled to our Derby works, from their various locations across the UK, to take part in a week of training. The week started with the clockmakers arriving at our Alfreton Road works and unloading their vans so equipment, such as harnesses and other safety apparatus, could be tested by external adjudicators. Following this, all of the clockmakers were given a presentation from Bob Betts on how the week would progress and the importance of this…

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Vernon Post Office Clock

January 8, 2019 News

Along with work in the UK, Smith of Derby has completed many projects across the world, something which we’re very proud of. Whilst international focus is currently on the Middle East, work has taken place previously in Australia, Africa, America and many other global locations. As part of the widespread work across the world, Smith of Derby fabricated a flatbed clock for the city of Vernon, Canada. The clock was located in the city’s Post Office and was complimented by four glazed dials, situated at the top of the clock tower. This became a real focal point of the city,…

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Restoration of Clock Dials at a Historic Lincolnshire Building

January 3, 2019 News

The market town of Brigg, North Lincolnshire, has a very famous building situated in the town centre called the Buttercross. At the top of the building is a turret which houses two clock dials and a weathervane both of which form a prominent part of Brigg’s town centre. The historic building, which was built around 200 years ago, was the former home of the WH Smith until they left the town in the 1980’s and has now become tourist information for visitors. In the late Autumn, scaffold was erected around the prestigious building to carry out various repairs. It was…

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Christmas at Smith of Derby

December 21, 2018 News, Seasons

The works will be closing on Friday 21st of December at 15:30pm and re-opening on Wednesday 2nd of January at 8am. However, should you require any assistance during the Christmas break, please email service@smithofderby.com with both contact details and some information on the problem. We will then contact you as soon as possible. Smith of Derby would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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Saltoun House Sundials Restoration

December 18, 2018 News

Situated between the villages of Pencaitland and East Saltoun lay the historic Saltoun Hall, a 12th century tower and castle, two traditional clock dials along with a sun dial and an astrological dial.  The dials, which are located on the turret at the hall, were in abeyance for several years before James Ritchie Clockmakers restored them and brought them back to working order. Following the removal of the four dials from the East Lothian location, they were transported to the Smith of Derby Group’s base in the midlands for the process to begin. The first step was to strip back the…

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