Clocks
A History of the Clocks of St Mary’s Parish Church
I became interested in horology in my teenage years, especially Longcase or commonly called Grandfather clocks. It was the Victorians who called them Grandfathers, after a ballad was written by a Victorian songwriter ‘My Grandfather Clock’.
I refer now to the clock on the north wall of the nave. This has created much interest to people in past years. How it came into the possession of the church is a matter of conjecture; no doubt it may be referred to in the church records.
It originally stood above the vestment cupboards in the clergy vestry, derelict. I was asked if it could be made to work so, after permission was readily given to me, with the aid and help of the former verger, removed it from its long sojourn and got it to my home.
Its condition, especially the case, was rotted woodwork. The works however were well made and, on further inspection, factors came to light which helped establish what it originally was.
The clock was of 18th century construction and worked 32 days between winding. It was originally an “Act of Parliament Clock”, mostly found in taverns and taxed.
I reconstructed the case with new woodwork. The front case had been painted over. When it was cleaned, solid mahogany was revealed. The black-painted dial with gold hands and figures looked good. After testing, it was ready to be returned to the church.
Its position
In 1976, the late Sacristan, Mr. Arthur Cook, and Mr. Peter Enderby suggested installing it on the north wall of the nave. I made strong brackets to support it and mounted it so it could be seen.
However, some time later, one morning my phone rang and I was informed the clock had stopped. It appeared that vandals had pinched the pulley and weight (¼ cwt.) and hidden them. However they were soon found and put back in the clock. There has been no more trouble since.
Wall-striking clock
The wall-striking clock in the Chapter House was given by a parishioner long ago. It has an eight-day duration and is quite pleasing to look at. However, during a break-in, the clock was ripped away from the wall and stolen. Thankfully, after giving a drawing of the clock to the police, it was recovered and put back in position.
I could not conclude without referring to the tower clocks. The earliest, by Rowe of Epperstone, was just for striking the hours and gave many years of service. The current tower clock is by G & F Cope of Nottingham, Tower Clockmakers. I think it is electrically wound today. I feel sure it used to strike the quarters, but it seems not now.
Following a short illness, Frederick Thomas Hodgkinson, a regular and much loved member of St Mary’s, died on 26th January 2007, a day after his 98th birthday, in the QMC.
Fred, who lived in West Bridgford, worked for Boots for many years until his retirement. A fascinating and very detailed account of life through the early and middle years of the last century is detailed in a book he wrote entitled On the Other Side of the Counter.
Fred’s great passions in life were church organs, grandfather clocks (of which he actually made quite a few) and railways. Mostly through his own reading, he accumulated an amazing knowledge of all these subjects. He was instrumental in repairing and placing the clock which is fixed onto the north wall of St Mary’s nave near to the turret door.
Fred was an inspiring man to meet and talk to. He was very much the Christian gentleman - gifted, gentle and humble. His mind remained totally alert and even though his hearing became poor, he was always entertaining and informative to listen to.
Fred will be greatly missed and, to pay tribute to him, we include this article which he wrote on the clocks of St Mary’s for the parish magazine in 2001.