Makeover for Much-Loved Castletown Clock

Time will stop in Castletown next week as conservation work begins on Castle Rushen’s medieval clock tower.

Time won’t actually stop. It’s not Bernard’s Watch.

It’s the water ingress that’s the problem. It’s when water from outside gets inside. So, to stop the beautiful landmark from drowning, the clock mechanism is being removed temporarily so the Clock Room roof and floor can undergo essential repair. The clock mechanism will also get some TLC (Tender Loving Care, not the band, unfortunately) in the form of a good clean and clockface lift.

Castle Rushen’s medieval clock is one of just a few wooden-framed clocks to survive from the 16th Century and would likely make an absolute killing on Antiques Roadshow. It’s undergone significant changes and restoration during its lifetime, (haven’t we all) including the replacement of the original escapement in the early 18^th century with the pendulum escapement we see today. ‘What is an escapement?’ I hear you ask. Good question. It’s the inner part of the clock you can see in the delightful black and white picture.

The clock didn’t have a face at all until around 1720, (inspiring John Woo’s ‘Face Off’ staring Nicolas Cage and John Travolta in 1997) by which time it was already at least 100 years old. Sadly, the original clock face was lost, with the current one-handed face dating back to the 1980’s.

Conservator for Manx National Heritage, Chris Weeks, said:

“Next week, Manx National Heritage will open the next chapter in Castle Rushen’s history as our team temporarily remove its medieval clock ahead of essential maintenance to the Clock Tower beginning.  The first step is removal of the 16th Century mechanism for the specialist   programme of works to be carried out, which will safeguard the clock on a long-term basis, as well as protecting and preserving its home at Castle Rushen”.

The work is starting on Tuesday, 5 March and finishes in autumn when the clock will make its grand return to Castle Rushen right on time.