CREDITON Parish Church clock and its chimes are an important part of Crediton’s heritage.

There has certainly been a church clock at the Holy Cross Church since 1551, and chimes since 1706.

During two days in late April last year, thanks to donations largely from generous residents, both of the clock dials were returned to the tower, having previously been removed for repainting and re-gilding.

The dials and the current clock mechanism date from 1838.

Prior to 1997 the clock chimes were controlled by three enormous regulated weights of around seven hundredweight each, which were encased in three separate wooden chutes.

As the weights reached half-way down these chutes they had to be hand-wound back up to the top twice a week.

Unfortunately, at the end of last November, the church started having problems with the clock chimes and many Crediton residents noticed they have remained silent since.

Church representative Bill Jerman, explained: “The auto wind motor for the quarter, half hour and three-quarter hour chimes was causing problems and was subsequently removed for inspection and testing.

“We have now very recently received the report from this inspection and the recommendation from the Cumbria Clock Company is that this auto wind motor and the other two, which drive the clock hands and the hourly strikes, should all be replaced.

“The estimate for the works excluding VAT is in the region of £5,800.

“We will be applying for the required permissions for the work needed shortly and would like to be able to restore our clock chimes as soon as possible.

“We hope to find some of the funds needed from our restoration funds and contributions from the Holy Cross Church Governors and the Friends of Crediton Church but anticipate there will still be a shortfall.

“We hope that all those who live in the town and the wider parish who love the reassuring sounds of our clock chimes will feel able to contribute towards this shortfall and enable us to restore the clock chimes, so they continue to sound out across Crediton.”

Bill said that contributions can be left at the parish office at the Boniface Centre, cheques payable to “Crediton Church Campaign”, or via BACS to Crediton Church Campaign, sort code 52-30-06, account number 25387472.

Anyone who would like a guided tour to see the clock mechanism in the tower or who would like further information about the renewal of the auto wind motors for the church clock should please contact either Bill Jerman on 01363 772865 or Geoff Sparling on 01363 776681.

Alan Quick