Turret Clock Forum at Birmingham City University, October 2024
The morning of Wednesday 23 October 2024 dawned with the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter shrouded in mist, which cleared as our day progressed. As indeed did our minds.
The Forum started in the very appropriate manner of refreshments and a catch up with friends, both old and new. And then at 10.30am our day started with a welcome from our hosts at Birmingham City University, given by Mathew Porton, one of the Horology Lecturers. This was followed by words of welcome from Andy Burdon, the Chairman of our Turret Clock Group. Settling into our seats the talks began with Derek Frampton, who discussed the role of the Diocesan Clock Adviser in the care of turret clocks.
Derek is a Diocesan Clock Adviser covering four dioceses and thus very experienced to discuss this subject with fellow turret clock enthusiasts. Derek shared with us the trials and tribulations of being a Clock Adviser. He is doing his very best to preserve and care for our existing turret clocks, and is looking for more volunteers to help in his quest. As luck would have it one of our number has very recently signed up to take on the Worcester Diocese.
After Derek’s illuminating talk it was Darlah Thomas’s turn to take the stand. Darlah and her husband Steve have been studying turret clocks for quite a few years now and they have written several books on the subject. Darlah’s talk was entitled ‘Belgium “Voices” in UK Clock Towers’, and dealt specifically with the carillons by Séverin Van Aerschodt of Louvain from the 1860s to 1900. Darlah started by defining what we mean by a carillon, i.e. more than 23 bells with a mechanism to play them automatically, and a baton clavier keyboard for manual playing.
Nichlaus Imhof’s patent of 1866 changed the manufacture of chiming mechanisms, by providing for the raising of hammers ready to strike, ready for release by the pins on the chime barrel, reducing the work done by the pins. Only Gillett and Bland, and Lund and Blockley were given permission to make these chiming machines.
The Belgian bells manufactured by Séverin Van Aerschodt of Louvain were deemed to be the most suitable to work with these chiming machines and so several sets were imported into the UK. Only one set of the four survive to this day and they are situated at Eaton Hall in Cheshire.
The buffet lunch was next on the agenda and a very excellent lunch it was too, supplied by the University Catering Company. With another opportunity to catch up with everyone.
In an unusual step for us the first slot of the afternoon was filled by Adrian West and Matthew Warburton who came to tell us about their new product which allows turret clocks to function without the use of weights, instead using motor-driven actuators to maintain constant torque via a conventional chain drive to going or striking clock barrels. A lively question and answer session followed.
Our next speaker was Kye Leaver. Kye is currently studying horology at West Dean college, but is actually a very knowledgeable young man when it comes to bells. It is no surprise to find out that he is also a campanologist and has explored many of the churches in Sussex, and several other counties, in his quest to learn more about their bells. He spoke on ‘The Development of Ancient Bells’ covering an enormous period, from the nineteenth century BC in China, through the eleventh century AD, with its beehive design for bells, and ending in the major developmental period between the twelfth and fifteenth centuries. He explained how the bells were cast, how their shape and appearance has changed, and also what may have prompted the start of bells in the first place. Kye’s talk, entirely without notes, was profusely illustrated with a large number of excellent illustrations, and cross-sectional drawings of bells.
Next up was our very own TCG Treasurer, Mark Crangle, to tell us about his project at Manchester Town Hall where the large 16ft dials have recently been restored. He gave examples of the corrosion of the skeleton dials and the condition of the glass, leading to the need for restoration and reglazing.
Careful sampling was undertaken to ascertain the correct paint colour for the dials, which is a lot darker than in more recent paint schemes.
The old glass was carefully removed, cleaned and what could be saved was reused. New opal glass was cut and installed throughout the rest of the frames. The motionworks were cleaned off-site and repainted in their original colours before re-installation. We saw photos of before and after, offering a privileged glimpse before the scaffolding came down.
The last slot of the day went to our Chairman, Andy Burdon, who updated us on the upgrade of the Turret Clock Database. The database has come a long way since a few members from the Turret Clock Group started recording the location and type of clocks which they had seen. As we know, Andy took on the enormous task of setting up an online database and the latest version is being integrated with the main AHS website. Exciting times!
At the end of the day Andy thanked the BCU for hosting our event, the speakers for their very interesting lectures and the TCG Committee for doing their bit. And in turn Mathew Porton thanked us for supporting the BCU and allowing both the students and the tutors to join us free of charge for the day. We had a great mix of attendees which included BCU students, representatives from at least three turret clock companies, five Diocesan Clock Advisers and several turret clock enthusiasts. All of which, with the help of Jeremy Hobbins and Mathew Porton, made for a really Grand Day Out! Our thanks to you all!
Sue Hines