Time is Money (Please)!
The Davis and Davis Clock in Cheriton Road made in 1915 is
ornate and attractive. It is also believed to be the only public clock in the
whole of Cheriton and Morehall. It was installed on Davis and Davis’s memorable
furniture repository with it’s curved top sunray window and Ipswich window
frontage in 1937. Sadly it has failed to function for more than thirty years,
and no longer fulfils it’s purpose. I have been trying to get it restored for
over a year and am pleased to report that the clock mechanism in the building is
working well. Unfortunately problems exist in the external twin faced display,
which needs a complete strip and repair.
Despite frantic efforts I have been unable to gain access because a hydraulic
lift platform is required and the cost of hire is very high. A company in
Norwich that helped with restoration of the chimes on our local church clock is
prepared to bring their own platform and carry out the whole repair for £855
including VAT. However time is of the essence, as the estimate will hold until
FEBRUARY. I used the clock as a schoolboy before becoming a Folkestone
fisherman, and many in cars as well as on foot would love to use it as a
timekeeper again.
Councillor Wallace is trying to get the Town Council to contribute as it has
done with another public clock in Folkestone at the United Reform Church. Go
Folkestone has in the past tried to get the whole fine building listed, which is
why English Heritage have researched it and why hopefully the Art Deco front
will never be altered.
Can you help with a large or small sum for Christmas towards part of the old
local street scene?
Contributions are currently welcomed at Katz Outdoor Equipment Warehouse, now
owners of this clock, at 331-333 Cheriton Road for the attention of Brian
Hollands who has a separate bank account for this purpose. It would have been
easy for Katz, who are contributing significantly, to have left this clock with
the freeholders or to have set it at 12 o’clock, as is the fate with so many
public clocks. Let us rejuvenate a useful, unique asset of both historical and
architectural merit.
Frank Bond
Article from Go Folkestone Newsletter December 2007
