Police Station article

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 22 Nov 2003, 11:49

We hope you like John Stewart's architectural appreciation of Portobello Police Station, now available at:

http://porty.org.uk/planet/index.php?ti ... %20Station

As well as pointing out some of Portobello's architectural disasters in our 'Eyesores' section, we felt that we ought to redress the balance by celebrating some better examples. (Next up, incidentally, is Portobello Baptist Church, currently the subject of a somewhat contentious planning application to convert into flats.)

What isn't mentioned in the article is that above the clock mechanism we discovered a bell. Originally, it must have tolled on the hour and perhaps on the half hour as well. It has, of course, been disconnected for many years. No-one seems to know exactly when - perhaps at the outbreak of the Second World War. If anyone has any information on this we would love to hear from them. More photographs of the bell, the striking hammer and the clock winding handle will be posted soon.

So, wouldn't it be great to reinstate the bell? A few of us are very keen to pursue this. The intention is that the bell would only sound during daytime hours. I'm sure you will agree that it would certainly add great character to the High Street. This issue was raised recently at a Community Council meeting and the secretary has written to Ritchie's to arrange a quotation. News on this soon I hope.

Does anyone have a view on this, for or against?

bellybabe · Post by **bellybabe** » 05 Dec 2003, 14:18

Well, I live on Mentone Avenue, where we would most definitely hear the bell, but I'm all in favour of it - i think it would be lovely. If the proposal is to have it only to ring in daytime hours, then i can't see what there is to object to, really. Besides, having grown up in a house with a clock that chimed every quarter, loudly, I can vouch for the fact that you very quickly get used to any background noise and after a short time we'll probably not even notice it chime at all!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 13 Dec 2003, 21:27

I promised you more pics and here they are:

This is the handle used to wind the clock.

This is the hammer which strikes the bell, currently disconnected
- but not for long hopefully!

The bell could do with a polish. Any brass rubbing enthusiasts out
there looking for a project?

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 08 Jan 2004, 23:32

I was brought up in 12 Bath Street and from my bedroom window I could see the clock although I don't remember the bell ringing (then again, I was born considerably later than the Second World War!!!). I would love to see the clock working reliably again and the bell idea sounds great. It might drown out the noise of the buses!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 09 Jan 2004, 19:17

Latest on this is that Ritchie's will be carrying out an assessment next week, so hope to have more news soon.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 13 Jan 2004, 23:14

The inspection took place today and I met with the gentleman concerned. He seemed to think the bell and ancillary works were in pretty good condition and could be made to toll again. He was able to confirm that the bell was designed to toll on the hour. If anyone heard the odd 'bong' around 2:30 pm, that was us!

We found an inscription on the bell which reads 'Patent cast steel 6249 Sheffield 1877' and the maker's name 'Vickers Sons and Co Ltd', along with a crest depicting 2 lions and a crown. The clockworks have the maker's name 'H R Millar, Edinburgh'. Perhaps someone out there can shed more light on this?

Hopefully we will have the report from Ritchie's in time for the next Community Council and I will give you an update at that point. I'm REALLY excited about this so I hope that a) it has public support and b) funding is forthcoming.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 28 Feb 2004, 18:22

We now have quotes from Ritchie's for various works relating to the maintenance of the clock mechanism, the dials and the suggested electrification of the tolling mechanism. This would allow greater flexibility in the programming of the silent interval so that, for example, we could have a later start time at weekends.

Altogether, the work would cost over Ã‚Â£7000. We are hopeful that L&B Police will contribute part of the costs and we are presently investigating other sources of funding.

In the meantime, I am grateful to Tom Smith who directed me to a passage in Baird's 'Annals of Duddingston and Portobello' in which we learn that the bell was gifted by Provost Wood.

The really exciting news is that we have found someone who remembers the bell ringing. More on this soon!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 19 Mar 2004, 20:38

Great news on this front. Hot from the press - L&B Police this morning agreed to foot the bill for the restoration works recommended for the going train part of the clock. This will involve the clock being removed to a workshop, where it will be stripped down, fully restored and brought back to pristine condition. At the same time the dialworks, hands and ancillary works will also be removed and restored.

What this means is that we now only have to find the money to restore the mechanical parts of the strike train and to install an electronic automatic tolling control unit.

An LDC grant application is currently being prepared to meet the costs of this. As part of the process we are required to consult the community on whether this is a good idea. Consequently, our new frontpage poll will be used to gauge public opinion. Look out for a website article soon and we hope to get some local press coverage as well.

You can do your bit to help the cause by voting YES to reinstate the bell. We are still trying to find out the last time it operated. I recently spoke to John, a local resident who has lived in Portobello for 90 odd years. He recalls from his childhood that someone used to ring the bell by hand at 7am, presumably as an early morning alarm call for the workers.

Post your messages of support here.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 20 Mar 2004, 23:57

OK, who voted against it and why? Explain yourself!

GG · Post by GG » 21 Mar 2004, 08:50

I think that it would be great to have the bell working again, especially if it is only throughout the day. I would tend to agree with most of the ideas that involve the restoration of Portobello's original features.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 21 Mar 2004, 21:05

Only 17 votes so far! Get voting people!

I found out today that it was one of neighbours who voted against the idea. She does not use the discussion forum and was unaware that we intend to have a silent period overnight. She is still a bit concerned about shift-workers but I don't think many (if any) people would be affected by it. More to the point, someone else asked me if we would be able to hear the bell over the sound of the traffic!

Surrealist · Post by **Surrealist** » 21 Mar 2004, 22:44

Bob wrote: I found out today that it was one of neighbours who voted against the idea.

was it one of these ?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 21 Mar 2004, 23:08

Well Mrs Bob thought that was very funny. Yes, lots of celebrities live here in our gated community in Rosefield, near Joppa. Kylie was saying only the other day 'You can ring my bell any time Bob'. And then I woke up.

Carol · Post by **Carol** » 08 Apr 2004, 20:29

My maternal ancestors were clock makers. They made large out door clocks as well. They also made watches, scientific instruments and were "working jewellers".

Every community needs a chiming clock because people meet up and chat and ..... time passes.

H R Millar who made the Police Station clock are mentioned in Donald Whyte's book, Clock and Watch Makers of Edinburgh and the Lothians 1539 - 1900.

They were brothers - Hugh and Robert Millar and were clock and watch makers in Edinburgh from 1871 to 1900+. Hugh appears to have been in business at 6 Royal Exchange before 1874 when his brother Robert became a partner.

They erected a number of Turret clocks, including one at Selkirk Town Hall and the village clock at St Boswells. Hugh's son John continued the business. Sadly no mention of Portobello.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 09 Apr 2004, 10:07

Carol, thanks for this. I'm currently writing up a piece for the next issue of the Reporter, so any additonal information is gratefully received. I'm pleased to see that the poll demonstrates support for the idea, though I'm a bit disappointed that more people have not voted. The poll only has 9 more days to run so please tell your friends and neighbours and ask them to vote!

To answer a couple of comments that have been submitted:

Alex, a trial isn't really an option. We have to spend the money to get it working in the first place, and then I think we would look a bit silly if we had to stop it. Think what I might do though is to draft up a letter explaining what we have in mind and post it to the occupants of nearby flats to get their reaction.

Alastair, I believe the Baptist Church clock is to be reinstated but it needs some repair work.

Ringo, "What a waste of time" - nice pun, though probably unintended.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 09 Apr 2004, 15:47

Thanks Bob - I realised that after I posted the message (D'ohhh!) so put me down as a yes.

bellybabe · Post by **bellybabe** » 09 Apr 2004, 16:20

We found an inscription on the bell which reads 'Patent cast steel 6249 Sheffield 1877' and the maker's name 'Vickers Sons and Co Ltd', along with a crest depicting 2 lions and a crown. The clockworks have the maker's name 'H R Millar, Edinburgh'. Perhaps someone out there can shed more light on this?

Even more in favour now I know it has a Sheffield link (not exactly my home town, but my much missed home before Portobello)! Info on Vickers, Sons and Co can be found here:
http://www.tilthammer.com/bio/vick.html

BB

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 24 Apr 2004, 20:18

Bellybabe, thanks for the link. The poll is now closed and the final results are as follows:

Should we reinstate the Police Station clock bell so that it tolls on the hour (during daytime only)?

Yes - 91 (83.49%)
No - 15 (13.76%)
Don't know - 3 (2.75%)

So, a pretty conclusive vote FOR the bell to be reinstated, even if the total number of votes was a bit disappointing. Will keep you updated on developments on this issue.

Susan · Post by **Susan** » 25 Apr 2004, 10:43

Hi,

I can remember the clock chiming. It was set off by one of the local policemen to announce the New Year. He performed this task a few years in a row. I can't remember the exact dates but it was after the Police Station was renovated so I think it must have been late eighties.

Susan

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 25 Apr 2004, 17:38

Susan - I'm glad someone has been paying attention. I didn't move here until '93 so I have an excuse, but if the bell DID toll to bring in the New Year someone else on the board must surely remember it? Can anyone confirm Susan's recollection? The elderly gentleman I spoke to previously who remembers the bell tolling in the morning seemed to think it was pulled by hand from what is now the foyer area.

Susan · Post by **Susan** » 08 May 2004, 11:55

Hi,

The gentleman that recalls the bell rope being inside the foyer is right. The bell rope housing was covered by later internal alterations.

Perhaps those on the board were tucked up in bed or living elsewhere when the bell was chimed for the New Year.

If required, perhaps confirmation from a retired local policeman should be sought! There is one, very local, who knows about the bell - he was the one who made it chime!

Susan

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 09 May 2004, 13:41

Susan, do you think you could persuade this gentleman onto the forum to share his memories with us? It would be great to get a first-hand account. I too have a neighbour who worked at Portobello Police Station, between 1958 and 1969. He can't recall the bell ever tolling during his time, even at New Year, and he was unaware of the bell rope.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 20 Sep 2004, 21:55

Well I never got an answer to that, did I? And Susan has left town and stopped posting. Time for a quick update though. The more observant among you may have noticed that the hands of the Police Station clock are missing. Not only that, but in fact the entire clock has been removed. So what does this mean? It means we are going ahead with the refurbishment of the clock and the reinstatement of the hourly tolling of the bell.

The clock will not be replaced until early next year, since the condition of the building has turned out to be worse than first thought, requiring extensive (and expensive) structural repairs. This means that the bells won't be ringing in the new year for 2005 but it obviously makes sense to wait until all the dust has settled before replacing delicate machinery.

bellybabe · Post by **bellybabe** » 20 Sep 2004, 22:21

Hm...any chance we can persuade them to keep the scaffolding up and keep the road closed permanently, d'you think? Our road is much safer now nobody can ratrun!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 20 Sep 2004, 22:30

Why not campaign to have the pavement extended and close Beach Lane off permanently, like residents in Rosefield did to close off Rosefield Avenue, which used to be a rat-run to avoid the lights at Brighton Place? Perhaps a petition and a chat with Lawrence Marshall might be a good start? I think there is certainly a case to close it off beyond the entrance to the car-park at the rear of Scotmid.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 06 Nov 2004, 18:12

Time (how apt) for an update on this subject. Portobello Community Council has just received a letter to inform that we have been successful in obtaining an LDC grant for the reinstatement of the tolling mechanism. The clock itself has now been restored and is ready to be replaced as soon as the present building repairs are complete.

Spree · Post by **Spree** » 07 Nov 2004, 01:53

Well done, Bob and Co. for the time and effort involved in the project. The BELL in Portobello will have to be emphasized in future.

I didn't vote for it to be given a new life but I'm sure I'll grow to love it through time (B-O-O-M B-O-O-M)!

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 08 Nov 2004, 20:56

Bob wrote:Why not campaign to have the pavement extended and close Beach Lane off permanently, like residents in Rosefield did to close off Rosefield Avenue, which used to be a rat-run to avoid the lights at Brighton Place? Perhaps a petition and a chat with Lawrence Marshall might be a good start? I think there is certainly a case to close it off beyond the entrance to the car-park at the rear of Scotmid.

Do you think there'd be any chance of them closing off the High Street from, say, King's Road to about the bottom of Brunstane Road?

They could extend the pavement right over and make it one big pedestrian precinct!

prombabe · Post by **prombabe** » 10 Nov 2004, 21:34

I would love to see the clock and bell repaired even though I'm not a resident any more.I could see the clock from my bedroom window and as I didnt have a clock in my room that was my bedside clock if you like.
My body clock would get me over to the window on school days and I swear it was always at the right time.......although I never heard the bell must have been before my time,but it would be nice to see it restored when I come up to visit .

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 09 Jul 2005, 14:08

Most of the work has now been completed on the Police Station and the scaffolding should come down towards the end of the month. The clock has been restored and the tolling mechanism is now working. Any worries about disturbing the neighbours can be forgotten since the bell can barely be heard above the noise of the traffic, but if you are standing outside the station and listen out for it you can just about hear it. I imagine Portobello High Street was a bit quieter in the 19th Century.
A small deputation from the Community Council met with the clockmaker this morning to inspect the work. The bell will toll on the hour from 8am to 10pm, with an option to allow it to continue until midnight for Hogmanay.
A small 're-opening' ceremony is planned in August to celebrate the restoration of the exterior of one of Portobello's most important buildings.
The following recording was made this morning from inside the clock tower:
Bong!

Post by **wangi** » 23 Jul 2005, 00:30

... Really is looking special now it's out of the covers. I stopped by tonight to get a few photos:

http://www.pbase.com/wangi/portobello_police_station

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 23 Jul 2005, 12:47

great pics as usual Wangi

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 23 Jul 2005, 19:28

Great photos Wangi. It really is a lovely building when you see it up close. Still haven't heard the bell.

Mimpty · Post by **Mimpty** » 25 Jul 2005, 13:44

I hear the chimes on Saturday- very discreet. I don't think anyone could take offence at them, mind you I was only waiting at the bus stop, not the same, I suppose, as living next to them.

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 25 Jul 2005, 14:04

A wonderful building and really interesting photos Wangi.

Now for the Town Hall.....................

Talk Porty ~ Portobello

Police Station article - postscript

Police Station article - postscript

H R Millar

For whom the bell tools

The Police Station Bell

The Clock

Portobello Police Station