Mallock Memorial Clock Tower
| Mallock Memorial Clock Tower | |
|---|---|
 The clock tower | |
  | |
| Alternative names | Mallock Clock Tower, Mallock Memorial, Torquay Clock Tower |
| General information | |
| Type | Clock tower |
| Architectural style | Gothic |
| Address | Clock Tower, The Strand |
| Town or city | Torquay |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 50°27′39″N 3°31′25″W / 50.460971°N 3.523686°W |
| Named for | Richard Mallock MP |
| Completed | 1902[1] |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | John Donkin |
| Designations | Grade II Listed Building |
The Mallock Memorial Clock Tower is situated at the harbourside in Torquay, Devon, England. It is a Grade II Listed Building, and was first listed in 1975.[2]
Description[edit]
The clock tower is at the junctions of the Strand, Torwood Street and Victoria Parade beside Torquay Harbour.[1] The tower is surrounded by a circular pavement which forms a roundabout at this junction.
The tower is constructed of sandstone as well as local limestone, and is of the Gothic style.[2] It has three clock faces, each of which face onto one of the three approaching streets.
History[edit]
The clock tower was designed by John Donkin, a local architect of Bournemouth. It was erected by public subscription and completed in 1902, commemorating Richard Mallock, a prominent local figure who owned nearby Cockington and was a Member of Parliament for Torquay.[1][2] Sculpting work was carried out by Harry Hems & Sons of Exeter, and the contractor was EP Bovey.[2]
The clock has long featured on postcards of Torquay and remains a local landmark to this day.
In 2010 the tower was refurbished, funded by a £65,000 National Lottery Heritage Fund grant along with £30,000 from Torbay Council. During this renovation, the original bell, not having been rung since the beginning of the Second World War, was rediscovered wrapped up at the top of the tower. It was then reinstalled and now chimes again.[3][4]
A local man named Keith Fursdon has wound the clock mechanism each week since 1963, and the council presented him with a certificate to honour his work in 2013.[5] He was reported in 2021 as intending to continue this task until 2025.[4]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Brooking-Rowe, J (1901). "Richard Mallock [Obituary]". Transactions of the Devonshire Association. XXXIII: 35–36.
- ^ a b c d "CLOCK TOWER, Torbay - 1206854 | Historic England". historicengland.org.uk. Retrieved 2021-05-09.
- ^ "Torquay clock tower to chime again". 2010-10-26. Retrieved 2021-05-09.
- ^ a b Smith, Colleen; Mills, Frankie (2021-03-14). "The man who has wound the town clock every week for 60 years". DevonLive. Retrieved 2021-05-09.
- ^ "Torquay man awarded for keeping Mallock Clock Tower in time". ITV News. Retrieved 2021-05-09.
External links[edit]
