Chairman's Appeal 2008
"A Moment in Time"
All Saints Public Clock

On Thursday 11th September, during his At Home, Cllr. Trevor Matthews launched his Chairman's Appeal for 2008. Trevor's chosen appeal is to refurbish the clock at All Saint's Parish Church in the village.
"A Moment in Time" will need to raise approximately £10,000 to complete the restoration project.

All Saints Clock

“Tempus fugit” - or time flies, so they say, well time has certainly flown by during the 115 years since the Clock was installed to the memory of Joseph Simpkin, a former Church Warden and well-known Leicester businessman. The Clock has chimed away for over a century of minutes as it has marked the quarters and hours, reminding both residents and visitors of passing time.

The Clock and its mechanism having survived the last century and 2 World Wars, is now looking quite sad and needs some loving care and attention if it is to survive another hundred years. I am therefore launching this appeal to try and raise funds for its restoration, which includes some of the mechanism. £10,000 will need to be raised in order to ensure that the 4 blue dials are fully restored along with the numerals in 23.5 carat gold leaf. Will you help me raise this necessary sum? All the money raised, no matter how small, will go towards the appeal target.

Messrs. Smiths of Derby, renowned clockmakers, have provided me with some details from their records of this unique clock, having manufactured it in 1893 and been responsible for its annual maintenance ever since.

I hope you will find the information interesting and useful and “Thank You” in advance for taking the time to consider this Appeal and for any help you may possibly be able to give with the task.

Trevor Matthews
Chairman 2008

The Clock & Its Mechanism

This quite unique “Turret Clock” timepiece was manufactured by the then John Smith of Derby and was installed in 1893. Its uniqueness is that it has 4 dials [faces] normally there are only 1, 2 or 3 therefore the time can be read from all sides of the tower: North, South, East and West.

The timepiece is a flat 3 train striking and Westminster chiming weight driven clock, which is hand wound up 4 times per week. It is necessary to hand wind the 3 weight barrels – one for each of the going, strike and quarter [chime] trains. The heavy driving weights are connected by 5mm steel weight line, which travel to the clock barrels through a system of pulleys. They must not be allowed to go direct to the “bottom”, or the clock would stop! The going barrel slowly rotates through a train of gears, and the time keeping mechanism is set via the pinwheel deadbeat escapement and pendulum. The beat of the pendulum can be adjusted very slightly to either speed up or slow down its arc to improve timekeeping. The strike and quarters [Westminster chimes] are let off by the going train at pre-set times. The manufacture of weight driven turret clocks ceased during the 1930s and were slowly replaced by mains synchronous movements. Church Conservation bodies encourage this to maintain the heritage of both church and clock.

A commemorative plaque in church reads

“A Clock of the best make and perfect finish with striking quarter chimes” - presented to the Church by Mrs Simpkin and her sons in memory of the late Joseph Simpkin.

Joseph Simpkin [1816-1886]

Joseph was born at Stoughton, Leicestershire and was brought up by his parents Samuel and Catherine, who were farmers, then living in Smeeton Westerby. Leicestershire residents will better know him as the founder of the high-class grocery business “Simpkin & Son” which he started and whose main premises were 41 Market Place, Leicester that also had a frontage on Horsefair Street. He had previously been a partner in the firm Sarson & Simpkin, Grocers in Hotel Street, Leicester.

He is shown on the census of 1851 as being married to Jane and living in the Sarson home in Hotel Street and the business now included: Tea Merchants: Italian Warehousing: Importers of Fine Wines, Spirits and Cigars: Celebrated French Coffee and the Grand St. Emilion Claret. He retired from his first business in 1860 aged 45 years and moved to “South View House” in Narborough [now the Buddhist House] then two years later he started his new business “Simpkin & James” on 21st August 1862. He died aged 69 on the 5th March 1886.

His funeral on the 9th March included members of his large family and friends, 300 workers in his employ, Freemasons and representatives of the many organisations he was a member of. The family arranged for Messrs. John Smith of Derby, to manufacture and install a public clock in the Parish Church Tower, which was dedicated at a festal evensong, in December 1893, by the Bishop of Peterborough, with the Rector of Narborough, the Revd. W. Langley accepting the gift for the Parish
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Narborough Parish Council
Chairman
Cllr. T. Matthews 7, Hemlock Close, Narborough, Leicestershire, LE19 3SZ

“A Moment in Time” - Sponsorship Details

Narborough Clock – 4 Dials in Blue

Roman Numerals x 4 – 23.5 carat Double Gold

18 x 4 = 72 Is

4 x 4 = 16 Vs

4 x 4 = 16 Xs

12 x 4 = 48  Minute starts

48 x 4 = 192 • Minutes

1 x 4 = 4 large hour hands

1 x 4 = 4 small minute hands

All in 23.5 carat double thickness gold leaf

Each Dial will cost £2,500 including the cost of scaffolding, removal to Derby for restoration and re-gilding.

Dials: Wire brushed down to sound base, followed by primers, undercoat and external quality durable Weather shield 2 - pack gloss for maximum protection. When at the right consistency, the previously gilded area would be sized ready for application of a double coat of gold leaf. Approximate guide to costings include: -

Blue Dial Bases £500.00 each
Dial components

Hands Hour 4 Large @ £100.00 each
Minute 4 Small @ £75.00 each
Numerals 104
Minutes starts  48
Minutes 192

Total Number of components = 344 @ £25:00 each

Why not either donate or raise some of the costs towards the above parts for the works?
All contributions no matter how small will be gratefully received towards the final total.
All cheques to be made out in full to Narborough Parish Council and endorsed on the back Chairman’s Clock Appeal.
Cash can be handed in to the Parish Office.
The Chairman will make Himself available to talk to organisations and community groups on the appeal if so wished.

"A MOMENT IN TIME" - QUIZ NIGHT

Cllr.John and Mrs Mavis Battell are hosting a Quiz Night in aid of the Appeal. To be held on SATURDAY 8th November in the Parish Centre, Desford Road, Narborough commencing at 7.30pm. Quizmaster John promises an interesting and brain testing quiz [for which to locals he is better known for.] Teams of 4-6 required and the cost is £3.50 per person. Refreshments are being provided by Heather and her band of willing helpers and there also will be a raffle. If you wish to bring your own drinks, bottle or canned please do so, but remember to bring your own glasses.
Details from Mrs.Mavis Battell Tel:0116 2862873. All money raised is for the Appeal - why not phone now in order to reserve a table. Adequate car parking is close by in Weavers Court, next to the Parish Centre. Why not join us, have an enjoyable evening by supporting John and Mavis and their helpers with the appeal.