Fundraising campaign to restore clock at Kingston Lacy

The National Trust has launched a fundraising campaign to raise £50,000 to fix the clock that is above the stables at Kingston Lacy.

The Victorian clock was put in place in 1880 by Walter Bankes when he built new stables to the west of the house.

Walter was a keen rider who loved horses, and he topped the entrance to the stables with an elegant clocktower that housed an early flatbed clock, built by Smith of Derby.

The clock has a pinwheel escapement, quarter chimes and an hour strike.

It has not turned a wheel in years so has rusted and seized up.

The team at Kingston Lacy wants to raise £50,000 to restore the clock, which needs to be dismantled and have each part cleaned and assessed for excessive wear.

Any worn bearings will be re-brushed and pivots and other working surfaces resurfaced and polished.

The clock will then be repainted, lubricated and rebuilt.

Automatic winders will be fitted to ensure the continuous future running of the clock, with any necessary adjustments made to ensure it will be reliable.

To donate to the project, either donate at Kingston Lacy or on the National Trust website.