The Town Clock, which sits in the Tower of St Giles the Abbot Church, at the end of the High Street, is almost 200 years old. It was built in Cheadle, at number 41 High Street, better known today as our town's Butcher's Shop - Wooliscroft. There has been a butchers shop at number 41, for over 100 years now. We tend to call it a Town Clock because watches were not common 200 years ago. It's now positioned in its second home as the original church, near the terrace, was knocked down. The roadside clock face was originally lit in 1897 by gas, to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.
The clock was purchased for a price of 62 pounds 15 shillings and 6 pence in 1825, and is still ticking away, giving accurate time some 199 years later. For over 30 years, the responsibility of winding the clock has been held by local resident and semi-retired engineer, Jim Plant, now in his eighties. The clock weights descend all the way to the boiler basement and it has to be wound once a week.
It's well worth stopping near the hour, to hear this wonderful part of local history in action. Sadly it's no longer possible to climb the tower safely, due to current health and safety regulations. St Giles the Abbot Vicar, the Rev, Garry Higgs is running events to raise funds to install an electrical winder for the clock. The cost of this is around £15,000.
The first event is a Special Service for Clock and Bells on Saturday 21st September at 10 am, followed by a Vintage Bear Exhibition, and a bring your own picnic. Please attend if you can and support this historic piece of Cheadle Life.
The Story of our Town Clock - Last Updated 16.09.24
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