Time ticking away to repair Shrigley clock

Time ticking away to repair Shrigley clock

16 September 2020

THERE is fresh hope in the drive to secure much-needed finance to pave the way for the restoration of Shrigley’s Martin Memorial clock.

The Housing Executive has confirmed that it is to contact a leading government department to explore potential funding avenues, while Stormont rural development minister, Edwin Poots, believes that a new policy his officials are developing may also provide future funding opportunities.

Once the centrepiece of village life, the iconic clock which had its bell and interior mechanism removed over three decades ago and placed in storage, celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2021.

To mark the occasion, Rowallane councillor Terry Andrews is hoping that money can be secured to finance what would be a highly ambitious restoration project in a village which celebrates its bicentenary in 2024.

He said it is sad to see the historic landmark falling into disrepair and hopes efforts to restore it will be successful to preserve it for generations to come, with a restored clock potentially acting as a catalyst for more investment in the village.

Cllr Andrews has contacted the Housing Executive and Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and is enthused at the responses he has received.

The housing body’s chief executive, Clark Bailie, said he appreciates the concern regarding the Shrigley clock and plans for its future restoration.

In a letter to Cllr Andrews, he said the Housing Executive is experiencing a significant funding shortfall and is not in a position to allocate any finance to what would like be a “very expensive restoration project”.

Mr Bailie said that over recent years, the housing body has explored options and funding with other organisations but they have not been able to progress.

He said while he understands Cllr Andrews has approached the Historic Environment Division about funding for the Shrigley clock and while such funding from this body is not available to the Housing Executive, the housing body is going to seek the agency’s advice on how it might address the memorial.

Mr Bailie confirmed that he has asked officials in the Executive’s Landlord and Placeshaping teams to explore options and report back to the Rowallane councillor in due course.

In his correspondence to Cllr Andrews, Mr Poots said while funds allocated by the Lecale Local Action Group under village renewal schemes has been awarded and there will be no further calls for applications, his department is currently developing a rural policy framework which may provide potential funding opportunities in the future.

Welcoming both responses, Cllr Andrews hopes that a cocktail of funding can be secured to pave the way for the restoration of the famous clock to provide a reminder to current generations of Shrigley’s industrial past.

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

The clock was powered by water supplied from the nearby Clea Lough and while the mill — which 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.

Cllr Andrews believes that residents in Shrigley, Killyleagh and further afield would like to see the clock restored to its former glory and hopes he can secure agreement in principle for this to happen.

“We can’t allow the clock to deteriorate further,” he declared.  

“It is an integral part of Shrigley’s history and it must be preserved. In the past it was suggested that a community garden could be developed alongside the clock and perhaps that is something worth pursuing.”

Cllr Andrews has thanked Mr Bailie and Mr Poots for their responses and hopes that a fully funded and agreed restoration scheme could be in place within the next 12 months. 

He added: “Identifying funds to finance any restoration work is vital in moving forward and while restoring the clock is one issue, it is important that a maintenance programme is also agreed.

“The Martin Memorial clock is at the heart of Shrigley’s history and culture and it must not be lost.

Given its history, a restored clock could become an attraction for visitors and people researching the area’s past. Shrigley was a hive of industry and with the clock one of the important reminders of the past, it is vital that it’s restored.”