High noon as Bournemouth's Lansdowne clock chimes ring out again (From Bournemouth Echo)

High noon as Bournemouth's Lansdowne clock chimes ring out again

7:00pm Friday 3rd September 2010 in

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THE chimes of the historic Lansdowne clock rang out across Bournemouth for the first time in years on Friday.

The Lansdowne clock at Bournemouth and Poole College stopped working five years ago and the chimes had fallen silent even earlier.

But at noon, the much-loved landmark was heard once more. The long-awaited event was met with applause and cheers from a party of onlookers from the College, including Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns.

College principal Lawrence Vincent said: “This is a proud day for us. We’re delighted to be giving the town its clock back.

“It was only when it fell silent that we realised just how important it is to the town.

“We did a practice chime a couple of weeks ago and we had people ringing us asking if the clock was working again. There was genuine excitement about that prospect.”

The clock is only able to ring out thanks to an £8,000 fundraising appeal, generously supported by local residents.

Mr Vincent admits he was surprised at the good response.

“In these difficult times I did wonder whether people would give,” he said. “But the people of Bournemouth have been very, very generous.”

The return of the chimes was particularly special for former college student and specialist clock restorer Paul Kilburn, who spent four weeks lovingly reparing the mechanisms and workings of the Lansdowne clock.

Thanks to his efforts, the clock is now fully automated with automatic winding mechanisms and pendulum regulators.

To ensure utmost accuracy, the clock is linked into a satellite system and self-checks every two hours.

But the restoration project has not yet finished – there are still plans to undertake finishing touches including replacing some discoloured glass sections and installing back lighting to illuminate the clock face at night.

Anyone wishing to make a donation can send their cheques to The College Foundation Clock Appeal, The Bournemouth and Poole College, North Road, Poole BH14 0LS.