The Lightning Clock - North Shields, UK
Posted by: 
dtrebilc
N 54° 59.698 W 001° 27.899
30U E 598200 N 6095309
This unusual clock forms part of a large sculpture in an outside space at the Royal Quays, part of Newcastle Quays retail park.
Waymark Code: WM19YJC
Location: North East England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 05/12/2024
Views: 4
The sculpture has two, plain looking, globes one large and one much smaller on the top of steel poles. The large globe is 30 feet off the ground and the shape of the steel support is a lightning bolt hitting the ground.
The clock has two simple faces on opposite sides of the small globe. There are no hour or minute markings on the clock face, only a small dot marking the location of the hours 12, 3, 6 and 9 and silver hands.
Although the clock seems to be very plain, this is not the case each time the clock reaches an hour.
An information board next to the clock explains all about the clock and its spectacular workings.
Lightning Clock
The Lightning Clock sculpture is the work of artist Andy Plant. Made from copper and steel, the clock's design was inspired by the North Wind.
On the stroke of every hour the clock comes to life. A storm rises with sounds of thunder heard from inside the large globe. The globe then opens up, revealing the face of the North Wind, and with eyes rolling the storm rises. The wind blows out smoke to knock the weatherman off his feet. The storm thrn dies down and calm weather returns.
The lightning Clock not only tells the time but the dials at the base of the clock give the temperature, wind speed & direction and barometric pressure, so you can see what is in store for Royal Quays.