A fundraising effort has been launched to restore the clock faces at St Laurence-in-Thanet Church in Ramsgate.
The St Lawrence High Street church had the four dial clock installed in 1897 to mark Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee.
Most towers only have one dial, including Canterbury Cathedral, but St Laurence can boast four after it was paid for by public subscription and built by G. J. Smith and Sons, Midland Steam Clock Works, Derby.
Unfortunately, after 125 years of weathering the faces have become blackened making it difficult to see the markings and figures.
To mark the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II it was decided to have another public appeal for the restoration of the clock.
Fundraising events are planned, including an auction this November that has more than 100 lots on offer including a ‘detached country home’ with a twist (to be revealed).
Work has also be donated by painters Mick Cairns and daughter Sally-Ann who are bellringers at the church.
Mick is organising the auction as part of the effort to raise £90,000 for the clock face restoration.
He said: “This clock is a very prominent heritage feature of Ramsgate. Whichever way you come through St Lawrence you can’t help but look up at the tower to note the time.
“We want to restore it back to the condition of when it was put up for Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee.
“The mechanisms need taking apart as the clocks have kept going but are out of sync and the faces and glass need cleaning.”
The auction will take place in the church hall on November 18 from 7pm and is open to all.
Keep up-to-date with the fundraising effort at http://www.stlawrenceclockappeal.org/
