Itís tough winding the church clock every week

Last week, at the invitation of the bellringers, your Audlem Online correspondent climbed high in to the church tower to see and experience the clock winding process at first hand.

The Church Clock was installed in 1911 to commemorate the Coronation of King George V and Queen Mary. It was paid for by the people of the Village. Over the years it has been wound and the hours adjusted by the bellringers on Thursday evenings after practice. This requires, we are told, 275 windings a week to keep the clock going. And, as last week's visit proved, this is no easy matter!

The bellringers have recently made a proposal that, in time for the Clock's centenary in 2011, an appeal fund is launched to have the winding mechanism automated. This has been discussed with Helen Chantry, Vicar of St James. Currently quotes for the work have been requested from companies who specialise in Tower Clocks. Various options will be quoted but it must be stressed that the automation is an addition to the existing mechanism – everything else will be unaffected.

When and if permission is granted for the work an appeal fund will be launched – it is the intention that this work will not involve the Church in any extra expense. Any surplus funds raised would be used for the future upkeep of the clock.

Regular readers will know Audlem Online has launched a light-hearted campaign to find a better name for the The Audlem St James' Church Clock Automatic Winding Mechanism Fund Raising Appeal, or TASJCCAWMFRA. The prize for a better name is a tour of the church clock tower and a chance to help with the winding. Audlem Online suggested Wind-Up – and others have been received (see stories from 9th and 11th October).

Next week, readers of the Parish Newsletter will have the opportunity to join in, so start thinking about names – suitable ones or simply amusing suggestions – and send them in to Audlem Online.

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