I spoke with the person at Green Spaces in Islington who manages this clock and despite the fact that the clock *works*, it never tells the correct time. The reason is that whilst a self winding mechanism could be installed, this would cost around £6/7,000 and funds for this are just not available.
No, the reason it doesn't tell the right time is because there is no-one dedicated to winding the clock once a week. It's a beautiful
listed structure, linked to the
19th century Metropolitan Cattle Market and was in fact bombed in the Second World War.
The clock was made by John Morris of Clerkenwell, and though I can't find record of his practice, since the beginning of the 18th century Clerkenwell has been the great centre for working members of horology. Incidentally, if you've never visited the
Clockmakers Museum I highly recommend it for some completely amazing pieces.
Anyway, I am rambling now. I am meeting the person from Green Spaces on the 7th to have a look at the clock and it's internals, and hopefully from mid July I'll be responsible for keeping the clock on time with a once-a-week wind, which is very exciting.
(image via
wikimedia)
Posted by Alfie
