Perfect time from ancient village clock (From Gazette Series)

Perfect time from ancient village clock

VILLAGERS in Wickwar are justifiably proud of the clock adorning their town hall. Built around 1600, it is reputed to be the oldest timepiece on a civic building in the country. KIRSTY RAMSDEN met Cllr Olive Pollard, a member of Wickwar Parish Council and a long-standing village resident, to find out more.

THE residents of Wickwar have a rather proud boast - their town hall clock, they say, keeps virtually perfect time.

Every day for the past 40 years the town hall caretaker, Roy Millard, has wound up the clock, explained Wickwar parish councillor Olive Pollard.

The clock, she added, being of simple mechanism had rarely given the parish council cause for concern.

However the bell ring did have a slightly different tone during the frosty weather, she said.

The timepiece has become something of a tourist attraction for the village.

It attracts visits from those interested in horology from far and wide and the clock figures on heritage trails.

Cllr Pollard, who has lived in the village for half a century and been a parish councillor for 20 years, explained: "Anyone who wants to see it can make an appointment - we are always pleased to show people.

"It is a piece of Wickwar history."

Visitors from Australia and Canada have been in to see the workings of the clock.

Cllr Pollard's husband, Mervyn, a Wickwar man born and bred, said: "There's some talk that parts of it may have come from the Abbey at Kingswood."

Wickwar's clock shows the time on one external dial and strikes the hours on a small bell in a bell-turret surmounting the front of the town hall building.

An expert brought in to examine the timepiece in 2001 revealed the clock had an unusual layout and, from a horological standpoint, is of quite interesting construction.

He also described it as "a very nice example of the craftsmanship of its time".

The expert revealed the dial motion work was of a later date than the clock as it had two hands.

Minute hands did not appear on clocks until after about 1650, according to the expert.

Its general layout has been compared to the old clock of Porlock Church, Somerset, but the Wickwar clock is believed to be of an earlier date.

Meanwhile the expert stated: "In general, the clock is in quite good order, and is, indeed, remarkably free from wear for a clock of its age."

As Cllr Pollard explained: "We have looked after it."

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