Stuart.C 491 Posted July 24, 2022 Report Share Posted July 24, 2022 Nice clear photo of it in 2010, 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jill Sparrow 10,305 Posted July 24, 2022 Report Share Posted July 24, 2022 I think it did strike the quarters at one time but, as a child, I loved to see it strike the hour because both little figures struck the anvil. As I remember, it was quite a musical clock. The sound was produced by the mechanism, I would think. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Engineer 614 Posted July 27, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2022 Went to look today - sadly the clock was not working. The east clockface was showing about 2:22 and the west clockface was showing about 4:05. The same times are evident on Google Streetview so I suspect it hasn't worked for quite some time. Both chaps appear to have lost their aprons. The casing bearing 'LEWIS & GRUNDY' appears to be wooden and looking a bit weathered. It would be good to get a closer view but I reckon it is about 18-20 feet from the ground and Victoria Street is sloping so access would not be straightforward. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jill Sparrow 10,305 Posted July 28, 2022 Report Share Posted July 28, 2022 That's sad to hear, Engineer. Let's hope that it can be afforded the tlc it deserves as a bit of old Nottingham. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
benjamin1945 16,158 Posted July 28, 2022 Report Share Posted July 28, 2022 Thought your favourite 'Tread' was ''Word Games'' Red......... Mine is ''Waxing Lyrical'' about places like the Locarno... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Engineer 614 Posted July 28, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2022 The clock needs some TLC. I was told that they are doing some work on it next month. I await to hear further. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Engineer 614 Posted July 28, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2022 I wonder who is the owner or person/business with responsibility, i.e. who would have to foot the bill (and the ladder) to sort it out? The 'Pit & Pendulum' might just be tenants. As an engineer, I would like to see how it worked. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,130 Posted July 28, 2022 Report Share Posted July 28, 2022 I’d like to get my hands on that clock. I’ve restored a number of antique clocks in the past. The mechanisms are uncomplicated and easy to work on. I imagine it would be better to send it back to Copes who built it in the first place. I doubt anyone will claim ownership as they wouldn’t want to be saddled with the restoration cost. With health and safety regs it will require the erection of a scaffold platform rather than just a ladder. These days maybe a road closure! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Engineer 614 Posted July 28, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2022 Or access from a MEWP/cherry picker. I read that Copes were taken over by Smiths of Derby around 1984. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,130 Posted July 28, 2022 Report Share Posted July 28, 2022 Cherry picker is the best idea. I see Smiths of Derby are in to refurbishing church clocks but I guess you could could fix it for a reasonable fee! We now have to establish ownership and raise the funds. It needs to be sited at a reliable civic site to ensure ongoing access for maintenance. Who's going to kick this off? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,130 Posted July 28, 2022 Report Share Posted July 28, 2022 Just as I thought, no takers! I imagine it's on a leased property and the landlord appears not to be bothered. I think its a non starter and the clock will ultimately fall to the ground and crush somebody! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Engineer 614 Posted August 3, 2022 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2022 Anyone going to the Beeston U3A Emett talk at Chilwell Road Methodist Church, Beeston tomorrow morning? Starts about 10:30. Couple of quid for non-members. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
denshaw 2,872 Posted August 4, 2022 Report Share Posted August 4, 2022 I enjoyed the presentation Pete, good to hear it direct. Well done for all the hard work you put into the repair. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Engineer 614 Posted August 11, 2022 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2022 Repairs, cleaning, etc. of the Emett Clock is scheduled to start on 05 September and complete on 30 September. I am not directly involved but will keep you posted as and when I hear more. There will be hoardings around it during that period. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beekay 5,143 Posted August 11, 2022 Report Share Posted August 11, 2022 Same day as my 57th wedding anniversary. Just saying. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,465 Posted August 11, 2022 Report Share Posted August 11, 2022 Unfortunately I suspect that the one thing which really needs doing - re-locating of the clock - is the one thing which won't be happening. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Engineer 614 Posted October 28, 2022 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2022 Spent a few hours fettling the Emett Clock this morning. The Vic Centre maintenance team have cleaned and repainted it where needed over the past few weeks. I was invited in for a media event yesterday (interviewed by Mark Dennison - Radio Nottingham) and while there, noted that it wasn't fully functioning, hence my offer to visit this morning. I got it sorted and left it fully working at midday. It does seem temperamental; it has a few rattles and some leakage of oil/grease from gearboxes, but it is 50 years old now! 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Engineer 614 Posted October 28, 2022 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2022 My interview with Mark Dennison aired this morning as part of a segment on the Emett Clock. Just listened on catchup. He spoke first to 'David' who designed a new butterfly to replace a missing one, followed by my bit at around 10:54hrs. 1 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,465 Posted October 28, 2022 Report Share Posted October 28, 2022 31 minutes ago, The Engineer said: but it is 50 years old now! That makes me feel old because I can remember when it was new......and in an appropriate location. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Engineer 614 Posted October 28, 2022 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2022 Link to Mark Dennison show, available for 29 days. Piece on Vic Centre and Emett Clock starts at 51m30s https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0d4gk0w Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RadFordee 68 Posted October 28, 2022 Report Share Posted October 28, 2022 7 hours ago, Cliff Ton said: That makes me feel old because I can remember when it was new......and in an appropriate location. Me too, i remember my Grandma taking me and my sister to see it when the Victoria centre first opened. It used to draw quite a crowd back then to stand and watch it on the hour. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
trogg 2,016 Posted October 28, 2022 Report Share Posted October 28, 2022 Your comments about seeing the clock make me feel even older, I can remember taking my 2 sons to see it just after it opened. Who also insisted crawling through the through the wooden caterpillar that was also in the Centre. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Engineer 614 Posted November 1, 2022 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2022 ITV Central are doing a feature about the Emett Clock to be aired 9th Nov in the evening. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stuart.C 491 Posted November 3, 2022 Report Share Posted November 3, 2022 To The Engineer; It seems that West Bridgford Wire have renamed you as "Former Engineer". https://westbridgfordwire.com/nottinghamshire-pupil-gets-his-name-on-victoria-centres-emett-clock/?fbclid=IwAR0UcJMOQRn2OgRvKTkPuWZeGD1QJ3YNDTv10ImDnrutDtugNRXMTRlfVoE Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Engineer 614 Posted November 3, 2022 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2022 Hadn't seen that article Stu; thank you. I'd prefer to be called a 'Chartered Engineer' (because I am) but at least I get a mention and appear in a photo so mustn't grumble. Despite my input since 2011, the only place you'll find my name is on the concealed electrical control panel (because I affixed a label when I made it in 2012!) It is inaccurate to say I had a hand in shortlisting the butterfly designs - I was shown three and asked for my view (I did however concur that the winner was the best of those three). 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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