Don't be fooled by the clock's chime (From Gazette Series)

Don't be fooled by the clock's chime

ST MARY'S Church clock has been confusing many people in Wotton-under-Edge. Since its annual service last week the chimes have been striking very irregularly instead of usually marking every quarter of an hour.

Engineers returned yesterday for repairs soon but until then townspeople had to get used to relying on a different way of pacing their day.

The vicar, the Rev Dr John May said: "I'm a bit disappointed it wasn't fixed the next day. It's been giving me the creeps, getting ready for a funeral and panicking I'm late..."

Mr May added: "I can usually put the chimes right but not this time."

When he and honorary curate the Rev Michael Chappell went to investigate they problem to be more complicated than they could deal with.

Clock enthusiast and parishioner Michael Lee, from Church Street, said: "I am happy to climb the 67 steps of the clock tower, keeping me fit.

"I have been able to adjust the hands mechanism in the past, so no time is lost or gained for long. But this is a fault with the clock itself and requires the service engineer."

Teresa Pottinger, from the church office, said: "I think the workings are not engaging on the hour and so the whole cycle is pushed out by quarter of an hour, a cumulative loss each hour."

Jackie Sims, who lives in Potters Pond, very close to the church, has even been moved to write to the Gazette this week, about the clock (see letters page).

Ann George, from The Cloud, said: "Until it goes wrong, you don't realise how much the chimes influence you. In the night I must be counting unconsciously and wake up quite disorientated.

"I will be relieved when it's back to normal and so will my husband who doesn't wear a watch!"

Yesterday's work will, it is hoped, have provided a timely solution.