DanielHST 1 Posted October 16, 2020 Report Share Posted October 16, 2020 it is fine as it is the panel will just need a repair Also the creatures behind the petals stopped spinning before they went up Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Engineer 614 Posted October 16, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2020 Jill: Sorry, my mistake. Indeed the centre itself has changed quite a bit. I think the plan behind moving the clock upstairs fitted with Intu's longer term objective of extending the centre to the north, revising the 'car park in the hole' area. The clock would have ended up in the middle of a larger complex (that all hinged on doing Broad Marsh first - rather academic now). I also think they were motivated by (a) more lucrative ways to generate income from third parties using the space in front of Boots and (b) increasing footfall to the upper north end where there are some child-oriented outlets (such as Disney and Build a Bear if they are still there) - the clock always did attract children wanting to make a wish. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Engineer 614 Posted October 16, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2020 DanielHST: It is difficult to speculate what is wrong without inspection/testing. I designed and built the electrical control panel from scratch (think that was 2012 - how time flies!) so I'd like to think that is still okay although I was not to happy about the temporary storage arrangements when it was moved from Birmingham to Nottingham (it may have been in a cold humid place - not good for things like the pins of plug-in relays and a barrel cam timer with microswitches). Previous issues have been failures of geared motors and damaged/maladjusted sensors/limit switches/barrel cam timer. Overall it is not particularly complicated - if they would let me have a look I am confident I could diagnose the problem(s). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DanielHST 1 Posted October 17, 2020 Report Share Posted October 17, 2020 Intu have gone OTT with this and we might need to ask em if you can get it moved and fixed cause that would be epic I might make a new rameu tune that sounds like the original 70s casette one but less tinny The here we come a wassailing tune for Xmas I might do Or do you want the rameu all year Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Engineer 614 Posted May 9, 2022 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2022 I have been contacted by Vic Centre today - the Emett Clock is to have some remedial work undertaken in July and I have been asked if I would like to go in when work is in progress to see what thay are up to. I have said "Yes" though don't know yet whether I will just be an observer. It was 17 June 2015 when it was unveiled in its current position. How time flies! https://www.visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk/blog/read/2015/06/the-emett-clock-returns-to-the-intu-victoria-centre-b4764 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,488 Posted May 9, 2022 Report Share Posted May 9, 2022 If you get a chance to say anything to them, tell them to put the thing back on the ground floor in its original home. I don't know anyone who thinks the current location is an improvement. I've just had a look back through this thread...and you're right about time flying - including the occasion when I unwittingly caught a photo of The Engineer. https://nottstalgia.com/forums/topic/8868-emett-water-clock/?page=3&tab=comments#comment-217359 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,203 Posted May 9, 2022 Report Share Posted May 9, 2022 It was a big mistake to move the iconic clock to the rear of the building. At £4 minimum to park a car I doubt many people pass that way now. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jill Sparrow 10,325 Posted May 9, 2022 Report Share Posted May 9, 2022 I'd prefer it if it didn't play that awful, tinny Rameau gigue fugue. Perhaps it doesn't do that now? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Engineer 614 Posted May 9, 2022 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2022 As far as I know, if it plays at all, it will still be Rameau's Gigue en Rondeau II (unless the one-track CD has been replaced). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
denshaw 2,877 Posted July 7, 2022 Report Share Posted July 7, 2022 On 4th August at 10.30 there is a talk at Beeston Methodist church by Pete Dexter about the restoration of the Emett water clock. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Engineer 614 Posted July 7, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2022 For Beeston U3A members AFAIK. Is it in a newsletter? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
denshaw 2,877 Posted July 7, 2022 Report Share Posted July 7, 2022 It is, guests welcome, admission £2. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Engineer 614 Posted July 7, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2022 I hear it is quite interesting. I shall be there! 3 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
katyjay 5,091 Posted July 7, 2022 Report Share Posted July 7, 2022 2 hours ago, The Engineer said: I hear it is quite interesting. I shall be there! Are you Pete Dexter? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Engineer 614 Posted July 7, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2022 Having looked back to posts in this thread dated 17 June 2015 (page 10), I don't think I can refute that suggestion! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,488 Posted July 8, 2022 Report Share Posted July 8, 2022 For a reminder of how the clock used to look when it was in its original and proper location, watch the first few minutes of this video. The clock appears several times in the first couple of minutes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Engineer 614 Posted July 8, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2022 Going back a bit further... https://www.macearchive.org/films/atv-today-20021973-victoria-centre-clock Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jill Sparrow 10,325 Posted July 23, 2022 Report Share Posted July 23, 2022 As a child, I loved the Lewis and Grundy clock. If we were in town, I wouldn't be happy until I'd seen and heard it strike. Is it still there? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,488 Posted July 23, 2022 Report Share Posted July 23, 2022 When Streetview last visited Victoria Street in 2019, the clock was still there. https://goo.gl/maps/Kn1g7AEnQFVPFXJcA 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,203 Posted July 23, 2022 Report Share Posted July 23, 2022 I never go into the centre of Nottingham these days but I do recall seeing the Lewis and Grundy clock on a building at the bottom of Victoria St. LHS at the bottom of the hill. No doubt Google street view will confirm. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beekay 5,196 Posted July 23, 2022 Report Share Posted July 23, 2022 Did those two figures on top of the clock ever strike the anvil, ie.did they move? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brew 5,427 Posted July 23, 2022 Report Share Posted July 23, 2022 They did, whether they do know I don't know Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jill Sparrow 10,325 Posted July 23, 2022 Report Share Posted July 23, 2022 That was part of its attraction, Beekay, in addition to its musical tone. I don't know whether it still works. I have a vague memory of it going missing for a long time many years ago while it was repaired. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,203 Posted July 23, 2022 Report Share Posted July 23, 2022 After a bit of Googling I discovered that the clock (which was built by Copes) stopped working in 1972. It was restored in the mid 80’s but it states ‘the men do not move very often to preserve their working parts’. Sounds a bit like me! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Engineer 614 Posted July 24, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2022 I am not familiar with that clock. I'll have to take a walk down Victoria Street when next in town to see it first-hand. How often should the men strike the anvil? Is it on the hour? (I read quarters somewhere). Was the noise from that or was there also some sort of bell/chime? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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