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 The Church Clock, St.Laurence's Church, Ludlow, Shropshire. Posted by:  greysman
N 52° 22.080 W 002° 43.137
30U E 519135 N 5802006
The last mechanical clock of the church, preserved for all to see.
Waymark Code: WMZ5TE
Location: West Midlands, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 09/14/2018
Views: 0
A printed notice in the South aisle of St.Laurence's Church tells us:- The Church Clock
The machinery below is the last in a long series of mechanical clocks in the church
tower. Supplied in 1931 by Joyce of Whitchurch, a long established firm of Shropshire
clockmakers. It was removed from the tower in 1988 when a computerised clock was
installed.
There has been a clock in the tower since 1542 at least. In that year there is a record
that Philip Jookes was paid fourpence, "for mendynge the clocke and the weych".
With the possible exception of the castle, this was the only clock in Ludlow, and so
performed a vital part in regulating the daily life of the town for generations.
See also the carilon mechanism in the North aisle.
This notice is placed rather unceremoniously on the clock mechanism in the south aisle. The clock is in excellent condition and has been placed on a timber support.
Close by is another mechanism with a printed notice which tells us:- The Carillon
A carillon has chimed at Ludlow since 1683 or earlier. The present seven tunes, one for each day
of the week, date from 1795 when a new carillon was installed by public subscription. The tunes
are played at 8.00am, 12.00 noon and 8.00pm after the hour has struck.
Nearly all the parts of the 1795 installation were renewed in 1890. The church clock mechanism
turned this huge wrought iron cylinder, and the projecting pins caused hammers to strike the
bells.
Sunday: Psalm 104 (Hanover) Thursday: My Lodging is on the Cold Ground
Monday: See the Conquering Hero Friday: Life let us Cherish
Tuesday: Bluebells of Scotland Saturday: Home, Sweet Home
Wednesday: Psalm 113
See also the clock mechanism in the South aisle.
During important seasons of the church's year the carillon plays additional tunes at 1000 and 1400:Advent: Lo, he comes.
Christmas: Joy to the World.
Epiphany: Brightest and best.
Lent: Lord, Jesus think of me.
Easter: Jesus Christ is Risen Today.
This notice is placed rather unceremoniously on the retired 1890 carillon mechanism in the south aisle not far from the 1930 Joyce clock. The cylinder and driving mechanism are in excellent condition and have been placed on a custom-made timber support. It was made by Leeson & Sons of Coleshill, Birmingham.
The church is the tallest structure in Ludlow and the clock can be seen from all points of the compass so is the obvious place to have one. The bells in the tower would also have been heard from afar so providing a regulator on the daily life of the town for many generations.
A performance has been added at 1600, this is in addition to the times mentioned above.
Co-ordinates are for the south-west porch.
Status: Not Working
Display: Free Standing
Year built: 01/01/1931
Web link to additional info: Not listed
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Photo of clock.
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