Tolsey Clock Makeover 2024

 

 

Wotton Under Edge is lucky to have the iconic historic Tolsey Clock which is featured in photos that are shared across the world. A clock is reported to have been in existence in the 17th century and the Tolsey building was given to the town in Elizabeth I’s reign by the Countess of Warwick. A turret carried the clock dial as well as a bell. The bell was recast in 1661, and a new clock purchased in 1683. Repairs and alterations were made through the rest of the 18th century. In 1859 the cupola was reported to be unsafe and a new dragon vane had to be provided. The driving mechanism of the clock was in the loft of the Tolsey building and a man was employed to wind and care for it (not much changes!).

In 1897, for Queen Victoria’s Jubilee, the clock you now see in the High Street was installed, replacing the octagonal clock. The cost was met by public subscription.

In the late 1970s/early 1980s the clock was bought and restored by Jeremy Fry, a philanthropic inventor, engineer, and entrepreneur. He financed the manual winding of the clock to an automatic winding which was designed and built by Wotton engineer Paul Lester.

Move forward to the 21st century and restorations started with Wotton artist, Robert Collins, painting the portraits of Queen Victoria using the Diamond Jubilee picture of the Queen featured on a mug! Further changes included the introduction of LED lighting in the clock face.

The 2024 review of the clock and its mechanism showed that the weather and age was not being kind to our clock and that repairs and refurbishment were needed. A project team led by Mark Woolfrey, the Keeper of the Clock, and including the staff of the Town Council, Ben Jagger of A & R Scaffolding, KLB School Work Experience student Zac Hamcherif, Steve Chandler of Renishaw Rapid Manufacturing, Rob Collins, Adam Wilson of Classic Transfers, Pete Roberts of Cotswold Letterpress, and volunteers Jon Woolls, Dave Lewis, and Dave Beeby was formed.

It was agreed that work needed to be cost effective so that it would not need to be repeated every year. Scaffolding was installed for access around the clock and to enable the removal and re-installation. Ben managed the licensing, installation, and taking down of the scaffolding and responded quickly and professionally to the project.

With full access to the clock and its parts, it was recognized that due to corrosion there needed to be replacement of the date-portrait plates, and the fleur-de-lys plates.

Thanks to Mark and Zac and their AutoCAD design skills, new steel plates were purchased which were cut into shape by Steve. Other parts of the clock were corroded but repairable. New LED lighting and support crossbars were purchased.

Once items were purchased or repaired, they were painted. Meanwhile the painting of the flags was done by local artist and Assistant Town Clerk, Diana Hyam; and the Queen Victoria portraits were retouched by Rob Collins. Tragically, Rob died just after he finished these portraits, and they are now part of his legacy to the town. He was very pleased to be asked to be part of this history of Wotton and was an enthusiastic volunteer on the project team. He is sadly missed.

A log was kept of every decision, materials bought and used, and work carried out for posterity which will be kept by the Wotton Heritage Centre.

Due to resource availability, future work is logged to be scheduled in 2 to 3 years’ time over 4 weeks, this will include works to the exterior clock body-face of removing both faces, repainting, servicing the gearbox, cleaning inside and outside of the body. Internal clockworks will include servicing, renovation of the striking side of the clock, installing a new winding timer and striking interrupter, and draught proofing and boarding up the clock cupboard and winding in the attic.

A huge thanks must go to the Tolsey building property owners, the tenant allowing us to access his home and work outside his window as well as him chasing off teenagers trying to climb the scaffolding! A special thanks also to Sarah Browton and the fabulous Daisy Daisy children’s clothes and toys shop for immeasurable patience in continuing to run her shop amongst the scaffolding and disturbance. Plus of course, a big thanks to Mark and the Project Team for their enthusiasm, dedication, and hard work on ensuring our iconic Tolsey Clock is working well and looking beautiful for years to come.

Cllr Paul Smith
Mayor and Chairman of Wotton Under Edge Town Council