The Engineer 612 Posted September 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2014 So who wants to see the clock? http://www.nottinghampost.com/Clock-stories-win-trip/story-22867826-detail/story.html Engineer Quote Link to post Share on other sites
darkazana 1,736 Posted September 4, 2014 Report Share Posted September 4, 2014 And just as important, Engineer, You have kept us updated and taken us step by step through all the phases of removing it from Victoria centre to rebuilding, restoring, and I should imagine it's long awaited return to it's home town in time. It has seemed almost as if we have been at your side throughout the operation, something which many will not have experienced. To some it will simply be, it was there, it wasn't, it's back "look how shiny it is"....but we know all the intricacies too. What a privilege for us Nottstalgians. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Limey 242 Posted September 4, 2014 Report Share Posted September 4, 2014 What darkazana said - but I also know that, despite the frustrations, it will have been a LOT of fun and a major learning experience to work on the clock! Not to mention a chance to "get inside" the head of one of Britain's leading engineer/artists of our time! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Engineer 612 Posted September 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2014 I joined a chosen few last Monday for a 'drinks reception' at Millennium Point. There were a few representatives from intu Victoria Centre and the clock was working (just about - the Orchestra motor was a bit intermittent). Got a message a couple of days ago to say there had been a loud 'motor noise' and that they had switched the clock off in fear of what might develop. Went this morning to investigate; trouble was that they had unplugged the lead, coiled it back and replaced the floor tile that covers the sockets. Not a problem per se but they couldn't find the 'special tools' to lift the tile. After a bit of a delay I hooked up a temporary supply with an extension lead and powered up. The only noise I heard was from the motor that drives the 'Top Feature' (the mobile/pendant thing), which was squeaking and its bearings were rattling - I decided it wasn't going to burst into flames or anything so I didn't disconnect it. The 'special tools' (two curved lengths of M10 threaded rod with hose pipe sleeving) turned up behind the reception desk so I re-instated the supply, re-taped the flex to the floor and set the clock to the right time (sounds simple but I had to synchronise the chimes). I sat and watched it for around an hour and it behaved. We have confirmed this Thursday 18th for dismantling (Friday as well if needed) so I should be there all day for that. Engineer. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mercurydancer 1,104 Posted September 17, 2014 Report Share Posted September 17, 2014 I recall very fondly the Emmett clock from my childhood. It was a delight to take my mrs to the viccy centre to see it before the restoration. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
carni 10,094 Posted September 17, 2014 Report Share Posted September 17, 2014 murcurydancer, I can assure you that you are in for a treat when the Emett Clock returns to Victoria Center next year. It sparkles like new! The Restoration Team have done a Grand Job. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fynger 841 Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 if....... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Engineer 612 Posted September 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 Were you thinking of Mr Kipling's if? If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies, Or being hated, don’t give way to hating, And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise: If you can dream—and not make dreams your master; If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools: If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breathe a word about your loss; If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’ If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much; If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it, And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son! 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Engineer 612 Posted September 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2014 and back to the topic of the thread... Here's how the dismantling went: Thursday 18 September 2014 Started disassembly, working mainly with Shain (technician at MP) and the Spider MEWP. Tim took parts away (clock faces, petals, bouquet, etc.). We struggled to lift the clock tower (tube on tube fixing – it had been tight on assembly). We separated the tower but its flange was still stuck fast. We diverted attention to petal removal. We returned to the flange and managed to get it off by oscillating while lifting with timber. There was a discussion, including engineering managers, over how to remove the Sunflower as use of the Spider as a crane was now forbidden. Plan was to use a portable tower platform and step ladders. I had reservations, knowing how heavy the sunflower was. Knocked off around 1745hrs. Friday 19 September 2014 Further discussion regards Sunflower. Think Tank technicians produced and assembled the tower scaffold. Assessing its weight, consensus was that it would not be safe to attempt to lower the Sunflower while reaching from step ladders. The Sunflower clearly weighed less than the Spider basket plus two persons, so it was agreed to use the Spider, despite the restrictions in place. A strap was wrapped around the Spider arm and the centre frame of the Sunflower. From step ladders, we stabilised it as it was lowered onto a pallet. The control box was then lowered to the ground in the same manner. That just left the frame which we moved on a pallet truck, followed by man-handling through a double doorway. That involved lifting and tilting, much as we had done during installation, way back in June. Tim took more parts away, leaving the large and heavy bits to be collected mid-week (Sunflower, turntable, cobweb wheel, control box, lower tower and main frame). Parts now in storage - I need to check where! (somewhere between here [Nottm] and Birmingham). Engineer 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,435 Posted November 13, 2014 Report Share Posted November 13, 2014 Not only has the clock gone, but the toilets next to it have also gone. Hopefully, the builders checked there was no-one still in there before the big hole was filled in. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
darkazana 1,736 Posted November 13, 2014 Report Share Posted November 13, 2014 So what are we supposed to do now if we need the use of the no longer there facilities???? And is it my eyes or have the escalators moved? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bubblewrap 3,815 Posted November 13, 2014 Report Share Posted November 13, 2014 Go up stairs and go to the far end. There are now only three sets of publics in Nottingham city centre the other two? 1) Greyhound Street(you have to pay to pee ) 2) Broad Marsh centre Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Pianoman 1,531 Posted November 13, 2014 Report Share Posted November 13, 2014 The loo in the Vic Centre is further in on the right now. Oh and there is also a loo in the Victoria Market (in the Vic Centre?) I didn't have to pay on Greyhound Street a couple of weeks ago and there was no suggestion that I should have Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Braddy 160 Posted November 13, 2014 Report Share Posted November 13, 2014 To pee or not to pee thats the question. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
catfan 14,793 Posted November 14, 2014 Report Share Posted November 14, 2014 Typical of this loony labour council, close the crappers, then PCN for peeing in the street. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dave 48 847 Posted November 25, 2014 Report Share Posted November 25, 2014 http://www.nottinghampost.com/emmett-clock/story-20348707-detail/story.html Just an update.....looking like good news.😃 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dave 48 847 Posted November 25, 2014 Report Share Posted November 25, 2014 http://www.nottinghampost.com/Emett-clock-return-says-Victoria-Centre/story-24643100-detail/story.html Sorry re above this is the correct article. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Engineer 612 Posted November 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2014 So what happened to the Time Fountain (Emett Clock) foundation stone that was in the floor? Do you suppose they have they tiled over it? I know it was cracked but had hoped it would be resurrected to go back with the clock on its return. Engineer Quote Link to post Share on other sites
darkazana 1,736 Posted November 26, 2014 Report Share Posted November 26, 2014 Hmmmm 12 new restaurants in the Centre...will there be any shops left? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Blondie 1,392 Posted November 26, 2014 Report Share Posted November 26, 2014 Why can't they leave things alone. ?......a lot of people, (especially the older generation) loved the clock and seatIng area......There was nothing wrong with it the way it was.......Money could have been spent on more needy things........ 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bubblewrap 3,815 Posted November 26, 2014 Report Share Posted November 26, 2014 Hmmmm 12 new restaurants in the Centre...will there be any shops left? Don't forget York House is coming down so they can "extend" the centre. P.S. this is my 5,000 th post 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
carni 10,094 Posted November 26, 2014 Report Share Posted November 26, 2014 Hope the clock does come back to Notts. We last saw it at Millenium Point Birmingham. Believing it was being retuned to Nottingham in the New Year? Fingers Crossed that nothing has changed. Congratulations on 5,000 posts Miduck 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Blondie 1,392 Posted November 26, 2014 Report Share Posted November 26, 2014 5,000 posts - lucky duck..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MelissaJKelly 2,120 Posted November 26, 2014 Report Share Posted November 26, 2014 Congrats on hitting 5k posts Bubblewrap Quote Link to post Share on other sites
darkazana 1,736 Posted November 26, 2014 Report Share Posted November 26, 2014 Well done Bubblewrap, keep em coming Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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