St Michael & All Angels’ Church Tower Clock in Haworth is back marking time after a break of almost two years.
The historic four-dialled timepiece in Haworth’s Parish Church tower stopped working in April 2024 after its mechanism was damaged by water-ingress.
But last week the 155-year-old clock whirred back into action after being repaired and the familiar chimes that mark the hour and quarter-hour resonated around the Worth Valley once again.
As an added bonus the clock no longer needs to be wound manually as the Parochial Church Council decided to have an automatic winding machine installed.
The St Michael and All Angels Church clock was made by John Cryer of Bingley in 1864, and its pendulum was ceremoniously started in Church at four o’clock on 15th October 1870 by George Merrall, who was both a Churchwarden and a major funder.
Barring some short interruptions the clock has kept regular time for the citizens of Haworth until it was damaged in 2024.
Since 1985 the clock has been lovingly wound and cared for by well-known Haworth resident Jens Hislop, (pictured below checking the clock is keeping good time) latterly with a team of helpers, and the repairs were undertaken by the Church’s contractors Smiths of Derby.
Reverend Oli Preston, the Rector of Haworth, said: “The repairs have taken some time because of the complexity of the task, and we’d like to thank our Insurers, Ecclesiastical, for their help in returning our village’s beloved time piece to working order.
“Equally we’re grateful to the Church Land Trustees for their financial assistance in funding the purchase of the auto-winder.
“We’ve future-proofed the clock by having the autowinder installed. For 39 years Jens Hislop and his team have faithfully wound and tended the clock’s Victorian mechanism. Now they can enjoy a well-earned rest safe in the knowledge that the clock will beat time for years to come.”
Repairs to the Clock have cost £26,625 while the new auto-winder added £12,150 to the final bill.
Added Rev. Preston: “People in Haworth have missed the Church clock working and it’s good to know that it’s once again back on duty.”
