You could reasonably ask where has the Minster Gates clock gone?
The Minster Gates clock was a gift to the City of York in 1971 to recognise 50 years of York Rotary and also the City of York 1900 celebrations. After over 50 years of service the condition of the clock has deteriorated in recent years so York Rotary considered it would be a sensible time for it to be restored.
More information regarding the history of the clock extracted by Graham Wilford from the Golden Wheel In York is available at the end of this news report (The Golden Wheel in York is a History of York Rotary Club 1921 to 1992 researched and written by Cy Read).
After discussions with York Minster it was agreed that the work could proceed. The costs of restoring the drum funded by a surplus from the York Rotary centenary celebrations in 2021/2. The project in partnership with York Minster. The restoration of the drum is being carried out by John Cossins of York Clock Group, along with specialist contractor input. The York clock group wind and help to look after many of the public clocks in and around York.
The clock drum was successfully taken down on Wednesday 26th February and it has now been taken to John’s workshop for restoration.
It is anticipated that the works will include metalwork repairs and redecoration, specialist restoration and renewal of the clock dials and renewal of the clock mechanism and lighting including the installation of a means of automatic clock control whenever it is necessary to change the time seasonally or after power cuts. Initial examination of the clock in John’s workshop did not identify any surprises, but some parts of the metalwork are badly corroded and will require repair.
York Minster are going to treat and repaint the metalwork of the clock bracket in-situ, hopefully including regilding the final and restoring the stainless steel plaques.
Since having been taken down swift progress has been made on the restoration. The clock has been dismantled and John has worked on the mechanism, that is now cleaned and has a new motor and gear box, those are working well.
The dials have had an initial clean and they are now being sent to Loomes of Stamford, they are specialist clock restorers and they will repaint the dials to match the original numbering, that will be a very important feature of the restoration.
We have arranged for an experienced metalworker Sam to examine the drum, that has identified a number of areas of corrosion that require repair, including the area in the base of the drum that was completely corroded and which had a plating repair at that time. The bottom of the drum will be cut out and replaced as part of the works and other areas that are damaged due to rust jacking will also be repaired. Sam now has the drum and he is going to carry out some trial work in advance of the repairs. Sam did identify that the clock drum had been really well made fifty years ago, but unfortunately some poor the original detailing has resulted in the amount of corrosion that has happened, these points will be addressed in repair so as to try to minimise future corrosion risks.
It is envisaged that the clock will be away for between four and five months and we look forward to the re-erection of the restored clock later in the year, with a target for it to be re-erected in July.
Regular updates regarding the clock restoration will be provided via the news pages of the York Rotary website and also via articles in Rotagraph.
David Fotheringham
(Updated 11th March 2025)
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