There was only an inch to spare when builders measured thecircular clock space on the tower of St Peters Church in Cradley with a template of the clock which has been salvaged from St Lukes in Cradley Heath. A cherry picker loaned by local firm, GTAccess, was used tohelp builders reach the tower for the important measuring exercise. During thebuilding of St Peters tower, a stone clock dial mount was included, however,due to a lack of funds a clock dial was not added and sadly the space was leftempty. Fortunately, the rescued clock will fit the space almost perfectly!
In 1949, the clock dial was installed in St Lukes to markthe centenary of the church. St Peters saved the clock dial after discoveringit was not marked for preservation in the demolition plans for St Lukes.
Roger Whitehouse, former churchwarden of St Lukes Church,said, The dial was a prominent feature on the High Street of Cradley Heath forsixty-seven years. It is hoped, that when completed, the restored dial canserve the community of Cradley, in a similar manner, over many years to come.
The ongoing building project is formed of three parts: clockdial restoration and installation; installation of quarter hour and hour chimes;and floodlighting of the tower. 7,000 must be raised to restore and installthe clock dial in its new home. Donations will be accepted for the HeritageClock Fund at a free concert by Halesowen Handbell Ringers on Saturday 26January 2019.
Further information about the project and how to donate isavailable on: http://www.stpeterscradley.org/clock-just-a-minute.
