Baptist Church Clock

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 06 Mar 2005, 12:56

I have been asked to find out what has happened to the Baptist Church clock!

Had a brief search of this site and the WWW, but couldn't find anything about it - can anyone enlighten me, please? Ta.

DG · Post by DG » 06 Mar 2005, 13:06

I had been wondering the same. Sometimes it seems to be taken away for cleaning but this time it seems to have been away for some time.

DG

teddygirl · Post by **teddygirl** » 06 Mar 2005, 17:32

I know a member of the Babtist church and I asked her about it some time ago. She told me that it was gone for good,too expensive to put back(masonry problems I think). It didn't actually belong to the Baptist church but to whoever owns the rest of the building. I for one was sad to see it go as it was both attractive and also handy for checking the time at a quick glance.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 06 Mar 2005, 18:33

My understanding is that the clock itself is the property of the Council. I too would like to know when it is going to be repaired/replaced and if not, why not. I've got my best man on to it and expect an answer sometime tomorrow.

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 08 Mar 2005, 09:36

Bob promised

I've got my best man on to it and expect an answer sometime tomorrow.

Ahem!!!

CatzVP · Post by **CatzVP** » 08 Mar 2005, 16:44

Yes Bob...Tick....Tick....Time is Money!!!

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 08 Mar 2005, 18:03

Sorry, don't have much to add although enquiries are continuing. The application to convert the building was refused and its future is now unclear. Ritchies maintain the clock, so perhaps they have it. More info as I get it.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 08 Mar 2005, 18:40

Poppy wrote:I have been asked to find out what has happened to the Baptist Church clock!

And take as long as you need?

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 08 Mar 2005, 19:01

Porty wrote:
Poppy wrote:I have been asked to find out what has happened to the Baptist Church clock!
And take as long as you need?

Well, the questioner is in their 80s..................

Jay · Post by **Jay** » 09 Mar 2005, 13:08

Is this the Baptist Church on the High Street which was Porty's very first Town Hall? If so, I hope they are not going to develop the building.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 22 Feb 2007, 18:17

The issue regarding the repair and replacement of the Baptist Church clock has rumbled on for years now and centres around a dispute between the Baptist Church and the Council as to who is responsible for the costs involved.

This message, courtesy of Nick Stroud, outlines the Council's position. The Church, on the other hand, claims to have papers that prove that the clock is in the ownership of the Council.

The clock had become dangerous with some of the cast iron embellishment falling into the street. As I recall, it was removed from the building under an emergency Statutory Notice and, due to the specialist nature of the clock, the refurbishment has taken some time with detailed drawings required to manufacture the new castings. The intention has always been to return the clock to its original place.

As the work is being carried out under Statutory Notice, the owners of the "building" in the first instance will be liable for the cost of the works under the legislation. Thereafter the owners of the building would have the ability to recover their costs from the actual owners of the clock itself, if different from the owners of the building. It is this latter point which is causing difficulty, namely who actually owns the clock. The Council has responsibility for the winding and minor maintenance (of the works) of many city clocks and arranges the contract for this on an annual basis. This work however does not cover the containing housing of clocks or the steeples or towers in which the works are situated.

As part of the exercise the supporting stonework to the front of the Baptist Church building has also been recently examined and has been found to be in a poor condition with cracked lintels and deteriorating stone. Prior to the return of the clock this will require to be repaired and due to the extent of the disrepair this could be an extensive operation. An engineer has been requested to ensure that the weight of the clock can be safely supported.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 19 Mar 2007, 12:57

From today's Evening News It's time for clock work, but nobody is paying up

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 16 Mar 2010, 22:59

Three years since the last post on this subject, and the matter is still not resolved.

From today's EN:

Funding plea over clock stuck in limbo

westbank · Post by **westbank** » 17 Mar 2010, 21:53

I was involved in the refurbishment of the clock and the replacement of the damaged parts of the cast iron sections, we had to make new patterns of the frame and supports of the clock and that was back in 2007.
I have some great pictures of the sections old and new but not very good at posting them on this site, my name is etched on the inside so when it goes back up i can look at it with pride, its the same with the new ball on the Calton Hill but we will keep that one quiet.
Anybody advise on how to post picts ???????????

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 17 Mar 2010, 22:26

Hi, WestB. Re posting pics see "How do I?" under "Other Forums". Even I managed to master posting photos, so I'm sure you will be able to!

Talk Porty ~ Portobello