The golden makeover of a Dereham church clock is almost complete.A team from specialist clock restorers Smith of Derby has been busily working to restore to its former glory the timepiece adorning the bell tower of St Nicholas Church, in Church Street.
The golden makeover of a Dereham church clock is almost complete.
A team from specialist clock restorers Smith of Derby has been busily working to restore to its former glory the timepiece adorning the bell tower of St Nicholas Church, in Church Street.
The clock, which is seen by thousands of people in the market town each day, had been in need of a touch up because its black and gold face had faded considerably through weathering.
Mike Tomlinson and Terry Hill were yesterday suspended from the top of the 16th century tower on ropes and about 60ft in the air as they applied 23.5 carat gold to the clock face.
Speaking from the clock, Mr Tomlinson, from Smith and Derby, said: “We started at the beginning of last week and we should be finished by tomorrow.”
He said they had first cleaned the clock face before redrawing the numerals and re-gilding them. The clock hands were also taken down and gold was reapplied to them.
When asked what it was like being suspended from the Dereham church, Mr Tomlinson said: “It feels great. It is one of the best parts of the job. You can see for miles.”
The church clock was made in 1902 by JB Joyce Clockmakers of Whitchurch, which is now part of Smith of Derby.
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