The Town Council's Facilities Team recorded for everyone to see the wonderful clock being put going again. It was only stopped once before, in 1954, when it was removed for refurbishment. It was certainly missed when it was quiet and still! You can see what hard work it is just getting to the winding mechanism, never mind the effort put in to wind it. It is still wound by hand twice a week and it takes 2 people to do it.
The clock, which is reached by a series of narrow wooden staircases is now one of the oldest clocks in the country with this type of mechanism. It was made by Thomas Hale & Sons of Bristol and was presented to the town in 1868 by then mayor, the local iron and coal merchant, John Clark Isaac Esq.
The Guildhall is a Grade II Listed Building, with its clock tower, it was built in 1859, replacing the former Town Hall, and was used until recently as the Magistrates Court.
Timings & Tours
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