01 December 2022
In November 2022, Junior Warden Robert Wren attended the restart of the clock at St Thomas à Becket, a grade II listed church which dates from the 12th century.
The clock had been stopped for some time whilst refurbishments to the narrow spiral stone staircase and clock room could be carried out. This was essential to allow access for daily winding.
The end-to-end wrought iron clock is fairly small with count wheel strike and later recoil anchor escapement. It was installed in 1670 by James Looker, a local blacksmith from Ditchling at a cost of five pounds and ten shillings.
After a short ceremony, which included some of the 14 volunteer winders, and the town Mayor, the pendulum was set going by Tilly Smith. We then proceeded outside to see and hear it strike 12 o’clock, to much enthusiastic applause.
The project manager, Peter Varlow, thanked the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers for our support and the prestige that we brought to the restoration and the continuous use of the church clock.
