Posts In: London

NewsTime

July 16, 2019 Uncategorized

As summer reaches its height and children across the UK prepare to finish school for another year, there is no slowing down for the Smith of Derby team as we continue our hard work to keep the worlds time ticking! The last few weeks has seen another new team member join our famous company and more international work commence. New Team Member We are delighted to confirm the start of our next apprentice! It seems strange to write the word ‘apprentice’ when introducing our latest new member of the team. Jason Budd is a highly qualified IRATA rope access trained…

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Woodfield Pavilion Clock and Wind Vane

February 25, 2019 News

The ‘Woodfield Project’ in Tooting, London is focused on re developing an existing recreation ground back to former glory. Part of the project is a small turret, which now features both a clock and wind vane made by Smith of Derby. The pavilion and recreation ground, originally opened in 1933, were created to offer a sports ground and changing facilities for young people in the area.  After many years of use it was taken over by a local school to meet their need for a sporting facility, however in recent years the school have moved on and the Tooting site…

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The Art of Time at the Royal Academy

May 24, 2018 Heritage, Public, Traditional

One of the latest London locations where we have restored timekeeping is The Royal Academy. We worked with John Sisk & Son on the newly refurbished Burlington Gardens towers. Each has a 1.7m diameter dial.    One dial is a conventional analogue clock, but the other is a wind indicator, with a pointer which is moved mechanically from the windvane above.   Whilst the wind-vane transmission was in good order and only required cleaning and lubrication, the vane itself was so weather-beaten that some parts had almost disappeared. Careful attention was paid to replicate these, particularly the finial which we…

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Case Study: Kings Cross Platform 8

March 7, 2018 Heritage, Public, Traditional

Client: Network Rail Location: Kings Cross Station, London Size: 2m diameter Materials: Gold leaf, acrylic paint, brass, illumination Date: 2012 Project code: 28069 Known fondly as the Harry Potter clock by fans who visit Kings Cross Station. Restored in 2012, it was originally two separate dials, separated by steel rods and located astride a footbridge. Taking its cue from the elusive platform 9 3/4, the footbridge disappeared. The clock, however, winged its way to our workshops, where within earshot of trains on the adjacent main railway line it would feel quite at home. We then worked our own magic, designing and…

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