St Catherine’s Church in Montacute, near Yeovil, Somerset, is celebrating the return of what experts now believe to be one of the oldest working clocks in the country. This cherished turret clock, originally thought to date back to the 1600s, has been revealed through recent research to likely have been constructed in the early 1400s, making it possibly over 600 years old.
Removed from the church tower in March, the clock’s restoration has been expertly undertaken by Timsbury Clocks, a specialist restoration firm. The restoration process included carefully re-gilding the dial and restoring it to its traditional and striking blue and gold colours.
Symon Boyd, the restorer, has been meticulously reinstalling the clock’s intricate inner mechanisms inside the church in preparation for the dial to be mounted back on the tower on July 1.
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Nic Laycock, the churchwarden and lead on the restoration project, expressed pride in preserving this Somerset treasure. Laycock reflected on the clock’s deep historical significance: “This clock has served Montacute for centuries, carrying with it a rich human story. It has witnessed the life of the village and the church from medieval times to today.”
To celebrate the restoration, pupils from the nearby All Saints Church School are preparing a time capsule that will be placed behind the clock face. The capsule will preserve a snapshot of the moment for future generations. Additionally, the church is developing an exhibition dedicated to narrating the fascinating history of the clock.
Located 15 metres up in the tower, the clock room has been upgraded with new lighting and cameras, allowing visitors a rare glimpse into the intricate workings of this remarkable medieval timepiece.