Shrigley clock may return to former glory if funds can be secured

Shrigley clock may return to former glory if funds can be secured

18 January 2023

A DECISION on whether key funding will be made available to help restore Shrigley’s historic clock is expected by the end of the month.

An application for much-needed financial support to help restore the iconic Martin Memorial clock was made to the UK government for a slice of its near £5bn Levelling Up Fund last year.

The Housing Executive — owner of the monument which has been in a rundown state for decades — has previously been in talks with a local interest group in relation to compiling a feasibility study to examine options and prepare design concepts for the area which would involve the acquisition and restoration of the Martin Memorial clock.

The clock dates back to the Victorian era and various calls have made over many decades for it to be restored to its former glory, but no progress has been made.

The estimated repair bill for the clock, whose interior mechanism was removed over three decades ago and placed in storage, was in the region of £300,000.

Many are concerned to see the historic landmark falling into continued disrepair, but hopeful that it can be restored to be enjoyed for generations to come, reinforcing its connection with the village’s industrial past.

Shrigley was founded by the Martin family, who came from Pott Shrigley in Cheshire in 1842 and owned the spinning factory in the village.

The factory was powered by water supplied from the nearby Clea Lough and while the mill — which is reported to have employed 500 people at one time — has long gone, the clock tower erected by the people of Shrigley in 1871 in honour of the Martin family remains.

Now there is fresh hope that it can be restored to its former glory.

Strangford MLAs Michelle McIlveen and Harry Harvey have been campaigning for the clock’s restoration and revealed that the Housing Executive had made it clear that the huge cost of repairing the historic clock was something the organisation was not willing to meet.

The issue was subsequently raised with former Stormont communities minister Deirdre Hargey who, at the time, had overall responsibility for the Historical Environment Division.

Over many decades, politicians have called for the historic clock to be restored to its former glory, explaining that it is one of the last remaining pieces of Victorian architecture in Shrigley.

They said everything possible should be done to ensure that a clock such important significance should be allowed to fall into such a sad state of disrepair.

Newly co-opted Rowallane councillor, Callum Bowsie, who is also keen to see the clock restored to its former glory, revealed this week that news of the bid for so-called Levelling Up funding is expected within the next few weeks.

“The clock is over 150 years old but is sadly falling apart and every effort needs to be made to save it,” he declare.

“It is owned by the Housing Executive and when it became clear that it was not going to fund its repair, other avenues had to be explored.”

The new councillor explained that last year he began working with Ms McIlveen and Mr Harvey to lobby the Housing Executive to commit to saving the Shrigley monument and seek alternative pots of money if necessary. 

“The Housing Executive was sympathetic to this and last year we began working with the organisation to apply for a grant from the government’s Levelling Up Fund and been been told a decision is expected by the end of the month,” Cllr Bowsie confirmed.

“This clock means a lot to this historic village and I really hope the bid for financial support to pave the way for its restoration is successful. “

Cllr Bowsie believes that a strong case was made to secure money and believes the restoration of the historic clock could pave the way for more investment in Shrigley.

He also insisted that if the bid to the Levelling Up Fund is not successful, other avenues will be explored to ensure the restoration of the Martin Memorial clock is successful.

Cllr Bowsie added: “The historic clock is simply too valuable a piece of heritage to give up on.”