Automatic winder plan for Fordingbridge Town Hall’s historic clock

Plans for the historic clock in Fordingbridge have been given a big hand.

Fordingbridge Town Council has been given consent by New Forest District Council to fit an automatic winder to the Grade II listed Fordingbridge Town Hall.

The council sought the change because of the health and safety risk to staff climbing the tower every week to wind the clock, made in 1879 by Elisha Tucker of Bloomsbury, London. The mechanism has been repaired and refurbished in the past, with the last time believed to be 1985.

New Forest District Council planners had deferred their decision to gather details from the town council which assured them all redundant winding mechanisms, weights, cables and pulleys will be retained to safeguard the character and architectural interest of the listed building.