Barracks Clock, Harmans Way, Weedon Bec, Northapton.
Posted by: greysman
N 52° 13.850 W 001° 04.802
30U E 631121 N 5788449
A clock with only one face not easily seen by the public.
Waymark Code: WMCY8A
Location: East Midlands, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 10/25/2011
Views: 3
The East Lodge of the depot contains a clock with three bells to chime the quarters and hours but there is only one face to the clock, not easily seen by Jo Public.
Building of Weedon's Royal Ordnance Depot was started in 1804 'for the service of His Majesty's Ordnance'. Basically a huge storehouse for weapons and ammunition consisting of two parallel rows of four buildings. In order to move goods quickly into the depot, a canal cut from the nearby Grand Junction Canal, situated to the east of the depot, was constructed between the two rows of storehouses. At each end of the main enclosure, two lodges were built over the canal, each equipped with a moveable portcullis.
These lodges are each surmounted by cupolas, that on the East Lodge containing a clock made by John Thwaites of Clerkenwell in 1814, it has only one face, facing the interior of the depot! The three bells have been chimimng the quarters and hours ever since and the clock keeps excellent time. A preservation order has been placed on the clock and the building in which it stands and it is listed as Grade II*.
The face of the clock is black and the Roman numerals and hands are gilded. There are no minute or hour marks. Being on the west face of the cupola it is very difficult for the public to see the face. Reputedly this was to ensure that the workers in the barracks arrived at work early for their shifts, as they couldn't see the time they would arrive early rather that leave it 'til the last minute.
Status: Working
Display: Mounted
Year built: 01/01/1814
Web link to additional info: Not listed
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