Problems found when church clock dials removed for repair

THE removal of the clock dials at Crediton Parish Church has revealed problems in the stonework and ironwork to the church tower.

The discovery was made when rope access specialists from Vitruvius Building Conservation, based in Wellington, took down both the clock dials.

Last painted and gilded in situ by local painter Brian Hill in August 1990, both dials were found to be in a poor decorative condition.

The dials, which are six foot in diameter and date from 1838, were expected to be away for between four and five weeks, to be refurbished by staff from the Cumbria Clock Company.

The dials will be stripped back to bare metal before being treated using a Rustoleum paint system and then finished in gloss black. The outer rings, minute digits, roman numerals and hands will then be gilded with extra thick gold leaf.

While the dials are down the opportunity will be taken to service the gearing that regulates the hour and minute hands behind the dials.

Unfortunately, taking the dials down revealed problems in the stonework on both the north and south faces of the tower.

Corroding ironwork is causing problems and will need to be removed, stonework will need repairs or replacement and some repointing will be needed.

Brick piers may need to be built and some limited investigative work will be carefully carried out in an area of bulge on the north side of the tower.

The appointed architect and a structural engineer are now working on specifications for the repairs.

The cost is unknown at present, but completion of the repairs is considered urgent and will need to be finished before the refurbished clock dials can be placed back on the tower.

It is hoped to be able to fund the repairs from very modest restoration reserves put aside for such unexpected and unplanned works.

Anyone, able to contribute towards the cost of the repairs, which would be of great help and much appreciated, should please contact Bill Jerman on 01363 772865.

Interestingly, it looks as if the north side opening on the tower may have originally been a window opening as the central piece of stonework in the bottom of the opening looks to be a cut off bottom section of window mullion.

While the dials are away and the urgent repairs completed, for what could be an extended period, the clock mechanism will still be running and the quarter, half, three quarters and hours will continue to chime.

At present bell ringing is not expected to be restricted, although it is possible that while the repairs are being completed one or two practice sessions may have to be cancelled or moved elsewhere.