A CHURCH clock winder who took over from his father to serve for more than 30 years has retired.

Lew Parker has been winding up the clock in St Cuthbert’s Church, Shotley Bridge, County Durham, three times a week since the late Seventies.

It is a role the 70-year-old inherited from his father, James, who had been doing it since the late Fifties or early Sixties.

Mr Parker, a grandfatherof- seven, of Benfieldside Road, said: “I feel the sound (of the bells) is not that obtrusive and it is nice to remind people that the building is still here and has a purpose. It is part of the local history.”

St Cuthbert’s Church, designed by Newcastle architect John Dobson, was built and consecrated in 1850.

The first peal of five bells were installed in 1869, but it was not until 1874 that the first clock was installed through public subscription.

Mr Parker is being replaced by apprentice clock winders Richard Junemann and Willie O’Malley, who are both part of the congregation.

Mr Junemann, a semiretired teacher at Lanchester Primary School, said: “It is very useful to hear the sound of the bells and I use them when I am in the garden.

“They have a distinctive ring for each of the quarter hours and it is an honour to be asked to help out.”