WORK has started on taking down a church clock so it can undergo a major restoration.
The clock at St Cuthbert’s Church, in Darlington, has not been working for a number of years and is due for a refurbishment.
Supporters of the church have raised £34,000 towards the project, through fundraising activities and applying for grants.
- Clock face at Darlington church set to be removed for major repairs
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Steeplejacks from Taylor Hastwell, in Heighington, and Smiths of Derby, which specialises in tower clock restoration, started the laborious job of taking down the clock on Monday.
The clock hands from the east and west dials have been removed.
While poor weather delayed progress today, the clock faces – which each weigh 305kg – are expected to come down tomorrow.
Paul Gilmore, from the church, said: “It’s the first time anything like this has been done since the 1930s. It did have some restoration in the 70s but nothing to this extent.
The hands of the clock were taken off on Monday
“It will look magnificent when it comes back.”
The project is expected to take about 10 weeks.
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