Out & About November 2017

Good timing St Bartholomew’s Hospital Alms Houses turret clock has recently undergone a complete restoration. Retired engineer and clock enthusiast DAVID PRATLEY, who carried out the work on the mechanism, writes about the challenges involved in restoring the clock to its former glory and keeping it going for many years to come A bit of history The St Bartholomew’s Hospital Alms Houses clock is thought to be one of the oldest turret clocks in England. The original building is reputed to have been founded by King John in the 13th century, and was originally intended to house priests and poor brothers. It was, at that time, referred to as King John Almshouses. The actual alms houses date from 1698 and were reconstructed from an earlier building of 1618. Newbury was a prosperous town in the years from 1690 to 1840, mainly due to it being halfway between London and Bath and also en route north to south with a crossing over the river. Visitors through the town brought great wealth to the area. There were at least 12 coaching inns here and some like the Chequers, Bacon Arms and the Queens still exist today. There were also at least 70 clock and watch makers working in and around the Newbury area during this period. Seven of them had premises in Northbrook Street and several others are listed as working in Bartholomew Street and Cheap Street, with one in the Arcade, which was originally called Whirlegig Lane. We know the Bartholomew Clock dates from at least 1698 and it is quite possible that it is even older, as there is evidence that the clock originally had a verge and foliot escapement, which is the earliest type of escapement. The diamond-shape dial would almost certainly have only had a single hand due to its shape and also the early age of the clock. It is unfortunate that we are not able to ascertain who actually made the clock, but it is quite obvious that it is entirely blacksmith-made. The hammer marks and the marking out of the teeth positions on the gears etc, can be clearly seen. As a matter of interest, blacksmiths who acquired these particular skills, were known as whitesmiths. Not surprisingly, a clock of this age has had alterations and repairs over the years, which include the conversion from the verge/foliot escapement mechanism to a pendulum. In my opinion, this conversion was either the work of Thomas Crofts or John Joyce, since both of these Newbury watch and clock makers were involved in making and repairing turret clocks, hence the job

Those involved Richard Papworth, chairman of trustees. Chris Hardy and father Dave. Sign writer Paul Hetherton, Froxfield, Clock winder Stephen Barnes, Dave Pratley.

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