Restored clock back at St John’s

THE original Edwardian clock at St John’s Church has been restored in the most recent stage of work at the church.

The clock face at St. John’s Church has been restored and is back in place in time for the church’s Easter services. Left to right, Tom Scott and Matt Dorey of Fusion Engineering, which lifted it into place, Stuart Pearce, managing director of architects CCD, and clockmaker Ian Lihou.(Picture by Peter Frankland, 30709262)

But more funding is required to enable the clock to chime again for the first time in two years.

Maintenance work on the roof, tower and flagpole has been taking place and returning the clock face was an important milestone.

‘It is lots of work which is long overdue culminating with the clock face,’ said Stuart Pearce, conservation surveyor and managing director of architects CCD.

‘Everybody has pulled out all the stops in time for Good Friday.’

Installed at the Victorian church in 1915, the clock had become corroded over time, resulting in the brickwork behind it becoming cracked.

A landmark moment in the restoration of St John’s Church with the return of the clock. Left to right, Dean of Guernsey the Very Rev. Tim Barker, church warden Sue Germain, Stuart Pearce, managing director of CCD, church warden Annette Stewart, and church warden and mission priest the Rev. Peter Graysmith. (30709256)

‘We kept most of the original copper and repaired the cast iron framework, retaining as much of the original as possible.’

The next phase of the project will enable to clock to start ticking again once funding is made available, he said.

‘Covid has hit us and there was a dry rot attack under the floor of the church by the organ, so funds had to be moved from this project for maintenance work inside the church.’

Clockmaker Ian Lihou said the project had been well-coordinated. He looked forward to the clock mechanism being restored once it had been cleaned, overhauled and reassembled.

‘It’s all just coming together beautifully,’ he said.

‘It’s fantastic to see it has been done at such a high standard – and all by local craftmanship.’

Matt Dorey from Fusion Engineering was in the team hoisting the clock face back into place.

‘The lift went very successfully – it’s all in place and it looks really well,’ he said. ‘Once it’s all up and running it will be good.’

Church warden Sue Germain added: ‘It’s incredible to think we’ve come this far.

‘I hope the neighbourhood hasn’t forgotten what the church bells sound like.’

The church’s scaffolding will be removed in time for Good Friday and Dean of Guernsey the Very Rev. Tim Barker said he looked forward to the church being restored to its former glory.

‘It’s good to have the clock back again and I’m delighted the work has been done,’ he added.

Church warden Annette Stewart thanked everyone who had supported the project, including the organisations and individuals who donated generously.

‘Without everyone’s intervention, this wouldn’t have been able to happen,’ she said.