Turret Clock

This is an approximately half size replica of the clock in Tywardreath church in south Cornwall.

This replica is made largely of wood which is my wont.

The original clock was purchased in 1887 by subscription of the villagers to celebrate the jubilee of Queen Victoria. The cost was about £110 and although installed in the church is owned by the village and maintained by the Tywardreath Friends of the Jubilee Clock Committee.

I have had to make some adjustments in my replica to take account of the size of the copy. Firstly the pendulum is much shorter. The actual clock has a 1.7 metres pendulum which beats 2.5 seconds, with the pendulum bob weighing about 65Kg. This version has a 300mm pendulum, a 200g bob, and because it has the same gearing as the original  runs at 24 minutes to the hour. This latter is OK as it is only a demonstration model.

The 3 driving weights range from 500-800g where in the original the largest weight is some 120Kg.
In the church tower the weights have a fall of perhaps 40 feet and are double or triple sheaved so the clock requires winding every 3 or 4 days. This can take up to 200 turns of the handle for two of the trains and less for the going train. This copy requires winding every 3 hours, except that the quarter striking has been fitted with an autowinder for demonstration purpose.

No bells are attached to the hammers of the copy so striking makes a rather unattractive 'clacking' sound but it is hoped to fit some electronic 'bells' operated by the hammers.

The church clock is fitted with two faces on opposite sides of the tower but for size reasons they have not been fitted on the copy although some of the mechanism to drive them is provided.

Like the original, the copy has been fitted with maintaining power for the going train so that the clock does not stop during winding. This can be seen in the video below.

 Tywardreath Church

 Clock winder at work

 Some views of the clock

 The weights

The pendulum bob. Note the coins on the bob for fine time adjustment