One Handed Tompion Clock, St Mary’s Church, Northill, Beds, UK
Posted by: 
bill&ben
N 52° 06.313 W 000° 19.448
30U E 683252 N 5776118
Quick Description: A distinctive single handed clock on the south face of the tower of Northill St Mary’s Church made one of Europe’s finest clock makers.
Location: Eastern England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 11/12/2009 8:20:52 AM
Waymark Code: WM7N70
Views: 0
Long Description:Thomas Tompion was born at Ickwell Green, near Northill in 1639.
His father was a blacksmith. For some reason (unknown) he left
Northill and was apprenticed to a London clockmaker becoming a
brother in the Clockmakers' Company in 1671. Tompion rapidly became
known as one of the finest watch and clock makers in London
receiving notice from Charles II. His achievements include making
the first clocks for the Greenwich Observatory in 1676 and making
one of the first English watches to be regulated by a balance
spring. Tompion worked with a number of collaborators to improve
his designs, including Dr. Robert Hooke, the famous physicist and
mathematician. Tompion died on the 20th November 1713 and is buried
in Westminster Abbey.
It is believed the Tompion clock at Northill was installed circa
1664.
Source : Bedfordshire Libraries, 2006