Town Hall clock to be stopped

The Town Hall clock will be stopped for one week beginning Monday 23 March for essential maintenance.

The clock will be set to 12 o'clock for seven days while the main drive shaft, which connects the 130 year old clock mechanism to the hands, are repaired.

The main bearings have become worn, causing the clock to run erratically and occasionally stop so they will be removed and replaced with new ones.

As far as it is known, the drive shaft, which is 53ft long and in two sections, has not been removed since 1882, when the hour bell, affectionately known as Great Abel, cracked and had to be recast.

The important job of stopping the clock, which will include removing the drive shaft, has been entrusted to Keith Scobie-Youngs of the Cumbria Clock Company, who will then machine new bearings at his workshop near Penrith.

Councillor Bernard Priest, Manchester City Council's Executive Member for Finance and Human Resources, with a responsibility for Town Hall Services said: "The Town Hall Clock is the timekeeper for the city, and many people set their watches by it. We wanted to get the repairs done before we began to experience any real problems and of course before the clocks go forward at the end of the month."

The clock will take a week to repair and will be in full working order in time for the hour going forward to mark the start of British Summer Time on 29 March.

For more Manchester City Council information visit http://www.manchester.gov.uk/