AS many residents of Crediton will be aware the people of the town own Crediton Parish Church, courtesy of the townspeople buying the church from Henry V111 for the sum of £200 in 1547.

A corporation of 12 governors was established to act as trustees on behalf of the townspeople and this system of governance continues today.

The governors have many responsibilities with the major one being the maintenance and upkeep of the Grade 1 listed building.

The Church’s Restoration Committee is currently trying to raise funds to have the two church clock dials removed for repair and re-gilding.

The dials were last painted and re-gilded in 1990.

Funds are available for the annual service of the actual clock mechanism, but finding the funds for the up-keep of the clock dials and hands is difficult, given the demand for works for the rest of the building.

Bill Jerman, a member of the restoration committee explained: “We are keen to be able to complete the work during this summer, if possible, as the church clock is one of our town and church ’heritage shop window items,’ along with our superb peal of 12 bells, the newly repainted sun dial and the Harrison and Harrison organ.

“The old Crediton clock of 1748, which is considerably smaller than the present clock at the Parish Church, is now at St Martin’s Church in Exminster, having been restored five years ago.

A possible fundraiser will be a sponsored Dartmoor walk taking in Yes Tor, High Willhayes, Cut Hill, Whitehorse Cross and Hangingstone Hill.