Restoration Work On Guildford’s Historic Guildhall Clock

Published on: 27 Apr, 2014
Updated on: 27 Apr, 2014

Restoration work on the mechanism of Guildford’s historic Guildhall clock and its case begins with scaffolding going up around the building on Monday, April 28.

The case of the Guildhall clock is being re-guilded and the mechanism inside the building is being restored.

Guildford Borough Council says the ancient clock is in need of repair to allow it to run smoothly, show the correct time and conserve the historic mechanism for the future.

It is no longer wound by hand, but for the past two years or so has been wound by an automated electric system that has not been without its teething troubles.

For a period after the autowind system was installed the clock was keeping all kinds of different times – sometimes up to as much as 20 minutes out.

The clock mechanism inside the roof space of the Guildhall. Don’t take the date of 1683 on the clock case as the age of the clock. These cogs and pieces of movement may be 100 years older!

The clock mechanism itself is inside the Guildhall roof space – the box (or case) that overhangs the High Street simply forms the double-sided clock face.

The case will be painted and re-gilded at the same time.

The lead councillor for economic development, Cllr Gordon Jackson, said: “These works are part of our continued commitment to invest in the preservation of historic sites across the borough. The work to the grade I listed Guildhall will preserve one of the most iconic images of Guildford for many years to come.”

The actual restoration works will begin on May 6 – and you can always set your watches by the clock at Holy Trinity Church!

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