Posts In: church

Local clock repair at St Georges Church, Ticknall

October 25, 2018 Church, Heritage, News, Public

We are very proud of the work we undertake and working with local Derbyshire communities will always be special to us because of our history within the local area. These works at Ticknall Village Church were no different, with the church located just 14 miles from our Alfreton Road premises in Derby. Our works at the Church started by removing the original Whitehurst clock and bringing it back to our local Derby workshop for repair. The clock repairs included fitting a new count wheel and pins to the clock which will ensure chiming accuracy on the hour. Along with this,…

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Conserving Public Time: stories behind the faces

There’s more behind a clock dial than meets the eye. All have subtle differences, more so in the mechanisms. And much like their buildings, when getting old clocks need more looking after. Since 1856, Smith of Derby has come to know thousands of public clocks quite intimately, whilst their new generation of clockmaking apprentices hone the skills essential to keep them ticking. Behind Smith’s name is a history of partnerships. William Potts of Leeds dates from 1833; James Ritchies clocks have graced Scotland’s landmarks since 1809, and J B Joyce began in Shropshire in 1690. Putting their years of experience…

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Automatic winding and timekeeping

February 27, 2018 Heritage, Public, Time, Traditional

A spiral staircase which will be climbed a little less from now on. Smith of Derby automatic winding and time regulation comes with an unseen but vitally important feature as standard – the facility to remove the new equipment without a trace should the clock ever be required in its former historical state. So at All Hallows Church in Walkington, East Yorkshire, the original winding handle is being carefully saved – just in case. In the meantime the long serving team of clock winders will be able to enjoy a well earned retirement. Keeping a clock wound up is hard…

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