Church clock stops chiming

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As the 2010 Christmas Tree Festival was officially opened at the Methodist Church today, the church clock, which is one of the most unusual features of the church, was being removed.

The clock, which was cast in 1850, is one of only three ever to be made entirely of cast iron and the cast iron bell is one of just two. The clock has been removed after 150 years of faithful service so it can be restored and all the clock faces can be replaced.

The familiar chimes of Alderley Edge's first public clock will therefore not be heard until the work is complete, which is expected to be in June.

Work commenced on the renovation of the church spire, clock and bell on 1st November, which is a huge and very costly project. It should take about 28 weeks to complete and involves taking down the 150 foot church tower brick by brick, so the bands inside can be repaired and replaced, and then, with every brick having been labelled, reconstructing the tower.

Rev Ben Clowes said "The total cost of the work is estimated to be in the region of £260,000. Last year, English Heritage awarded a grant of £189,000 towards the work and we have also been promised £10,000 from National Churches Trust as well as £5000 from Historic Churches of Cheshire.

"This leaves a shortfall of £56,000 to be raised through our own efforts, so we hope that the village will continue to support us as we seek to preserve the spire and the first public clock in Alderley Edge."

Tags:
Alderley Edge Methodist Church, Time for the Future Spire Appeal
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