Clocks

[Dave M]

This one only Temporarily at Birmingham Cathedral

 

[Vivienne14]

A lovely RHS entry Dave, it deserves the gold medal. Nice to see St. Philip's 300th anniversary being commemorated in this way. And glad it's now on display too. Thanks for posting. Viv.

 

[I Am Nico]

This post has made me start looking for clocks so thank you. You take them for granted. I have just noticed one in a former farm/ posh house complex in Kenilworth next to a dovecot smothered with ivy. I like weather vanes too this has one as well.

 

[oldMohawk]

Another look at the clock in this pic on the old Post & Mail building, it was quite a novelty at the time but probably would not receive a second glance these days with all the digital things we have to play with.

Pic link from Birmingham Post archive. The link has gone down so the actual photo has been added. It was taken by Phyllis Nicklin in 1968.

 

[Vivienne14]

Thanks Phil. Used that clock every day when I worked at Fountain Court on Steelhouse Lane. It was also handy for meeting up with people there too. Everyone knew the Post &Mail building. There used to be a row of bus stops just in front of the P&M and it was a good place to meet up with anyone using those bus routes. I think this is one of the few 'handsome' buildings of the 1960s, especially with it's lower level too. To me the digital clock seems to complement the building. Viv.

 

[ellbrown]

Seen painted on The Big Hoot owl at New Street Station.

Owl Aboard!

 

[ellbrown]

The Bournville Carillon

 

[Radiorails]

Thank you for the clock face enlargement Ellbrown, I looked at it many times.

For those who do not read previous posts I mention anyone wanting to hear what Bournville carillon sounds like then refer to my precious post No.50.

 

[Phil]

Two well endangered clock towers here, both having been part of my life so I would hate to see them go. Although the option has been discussed and considered for both of them.

Bloomsbury Library Clock Tower Nechells Parkway Nechells
Balsall Heath Library Moseley Rd Balsall Heath.

 

[Vivienne14]

Thank you for the clock face enlargement Ellbrown, I looked at it many times.

For those who do not read previous posts I mention anyone wanting to hear what Bournville carillon sounds like then refer to my precious post No.50.

i listened to the carillon bells link Alan, and I remember the sound from when I lived in Bournville. But at the time I didn't know it was a carillon, in fact I didn't know what one was. Always thought it was quaint church bells I could hear.

Thanks Ell for the clock photos. I think 'Carpe Diem' (seize the day) should be inscribed on all clocks.

Phil, your library clocks were put there with pride! These clocks on towers must have been a big investment at the time. They give a strong sense of a building with importance. Hope they don't disappear. Viv.

 

[ellbrown]

No problem Radiorails and Viv.


I have heard the sound of the carillon on past Bournville Village visits (not every time though).


The visitor centre for it is inside the Rest House on the green.

 

[Vivienne14]

This view from the John Lewis panorama gives a high level glimpse of the clock on St. Phillip's Cathedral. Looking a bit shy, hidden amongst the rooftops. (And that gull to the right should watch out for when the chimes strike up). The clock placed beneath the dome looks like it should be in Florence - a lovely piece of architecture. Viv.

 

[ellbrown]

Got this one of it from April 2009. Although not really a zoom in of it!



Restored weather vane in October 2014



2012 video of the bells ringing!

[url=https://flic.kr/p/cbeUPJ]Bells ringing in St Philip's Cathedral - Birmingham - video clip[/URL]

 

[Vivienne14]

Looking (and sounding) good Ell. Thanks.

Spotted this beauty on another BHForum thread posted by Astoness - thanks Lyn!(https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=13931&page=3 ). Someone had the foresight to rescue it from the demolition of the Lucas Great King Street factory. It now rests in the White House pub, Unett St/New John St West. A nice example of a clocking in clock - or a Time Recording System. Viv.

 

[Astoness]

viv i want that lucas clocking in clock lol..up until recently the gaffer of the pub had loads of clocking in cards with the names of them but chucked them out...what a shame that was..

lyn

 

[Vivienne14]

Out in the suburbs, this clock was erected in the gardens of Erdington Cottage Homes. Think it's now Fentham Road gardens. An impressive structure. Looks to me that it's had a bit of work done around the plinth and the rail seems to have gone. Roof seems to have been re-tiled. It's certainly been nicely restored and looks good. Hope it's still there. Viv.

 

[rosie]

I didn't realise until yesterday that the clock on St. Martin's has different faces, one is white and gold and the others are dark. This thread has taught me to be more observant!!
Thanks Vivienne!
rosie.

 

[Vivienne14]

That's interesting Rosie. That now makes me wonder why. Maybe the face most on view is gold and white,whilst the lesser viewed faces are dark. Or maybe only one face has been cleaned and the others have a patina. Whatever the answer I agree Rosie, looking up is not a natural thing for people to do when out walking, but I now try to do so. You never know what you'll discover up there. Viv.

 

[ellbrown]

A new addition near the Nathan clock on Corporation Street

Tokyo Toys opened at the weekend




A new photo of the Chamberlain Clock Tower at the University of Birmingham. Taken on from the South West Campus this time.

 

[Vivienne14]

Not a particularly attention grabbing clock. This one sits at the top of the building at the junction of Steelhouse Lane and
Corporation Street, near the fire station. I think it's probably overlooked as it's directly opposite the fire station clock. I like the decoration around the clock, looks like tassels (?) or maybe bunches of something ? I used to go to Hawkins in the building below - now a different food outlet (Celebz) - but never noticed the clock above. Unfortunately the clock seems to have stopped working. Viv.

 

[Vivienne14]

A nice example of a pub clock on the Marlborough pub tower in Anderton Road at junction with Montgomery Street. The pub survives as does the clock and it's tower (although I don't think it's now a pub). No expense spared in having a clock face on all 4 sides. Viv.

 

[Vivienne14]

Communication Workers Union clock at junction of Summer Lane and New Summer Street. Very minimalist clock. Viv.

 

[rosie]

The Kings Head Clock has been restored and is now back. Not in it's original place but on the diagonally opposite corner i.e Adkins Lane and Bearwood Road junction. (I hope that makes sense!)
It does look splendid and will look even better when the surrounding paving is finished.
rosie.

 

[paul stacey]

I remember that clock at the "University", loked at it on Tram and bus for nearly 15 years when traveling down the A38, Bristol Road.Paul

 

[horsencart]

The time is... https://www.flickr.com/photos/dofartshavelumps/16729589090/in/album-72157649946417905/

 

[Vivienne14]

The Kings Head Clock has been restored and is now back. Not in it's original place but on the diagonally opposite corner i.e Adkins Lane and Bearwood Road junction. (I hope that makes sense!)
It does look splendid and will look even better when the surrounding paving is finished.
rosie.

Thanks Rosie. Just had a look on Streetview but it isn't showing it yet. I can see where you man though as there are still roadwiprks at the junction of Adkins Lane.

Horsencart - think the pigeons are having a laff with that Colmore Row clock! Viv.

 

[Vivienne14]

Remember everyone, the clocks go BACK this coming Sunday, the last Sunday of October. We'll be changing back to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). And for your enjoyment as you'll all be GAINING an extra hour here's a nice snippet below of clock changing history in Birmingham.

Abraham Follet Osler (of glass-making fame, b1808 - d1903) was an enthusiast for chronometry, the scientific measurement of time, and its history. In 1842 he collected funds and set up a standard clock for Birmingham in front of the Birmingham Philosophical Institution in Cannon Street. This astronomical clock became the means by which the city set its own clocks. Then without telling anyone, he gradually changed the timepiece from Birmingham Time to match Greenwich Mean Time so that every local church and private clock then followed GMT. Birmingham was therefore ahead of the rest of the country as other towns were still keeping to their local time.

In 1885 Abraham financed and built the Big Brum clock and bells adjoining the City Art Gallery. It's still the standard timekeeper for the City.

Viv

 

[I Am Nico]

Very interesting Viv, fascinating. Coventry was once famous for its timepieces also. We still have the watchmaking quarter but they don't make watches anymore. And Big Ben will be temporary silenced. How many clocks do you have in your houses folks? We have eight. I saw 2 interesting clocks I have started to notice them since BHF clocks posts. One in France in a restaurant and one in Cumbria outside farm buildings, brown metal smaller than a football, completely round apart from the face like a signpost or an ornate lamp bracket sticking, then the clock hanging on a chain.

 

[oldMohawk]

A clock in Broad St on a sunny day in the early 1970s photo. Three unusual chimney like structures behind the pub stand out in the old photo. The modern scene shows that the clock has survived even if some of the buildings around it have not. One could almost think a rather unattractive castle has been built behind the clock.

 

[mikejee]

The chimneys were part of the old brewery behind the Crown pub