Helen Winterson's Clock

The Clock on the former Co-op building which houses Helen Winterson's Ladies Fashions was originally commissioned in 1898. It had not gone for many years so to mark Helen Winterson's fifty years in business in Marple, the owner Judi Winterson, decided that it was time to have it renovated.

With the encouragement of Marple Civic Society and the Marple Regeneration Partnership, local clock restorer Symon Boyd was engaged to start work on removing the old clock from its tower. He painstakingly covered the original Chapter Ring and Hands with 23.5 caret gold leaf, renewed the clock face and light and installed a modern accurate mechanism. An inscription on the clock face "1953-2003" records the fact that Judi's mother Helen Winterson established the business fifty years ago and that it is still going strong.

The original mechanism, made by Fosters of Manchester (a flat bed dead beat escarpment for the enthusiast) incorporated a 10 foot pendulum and a weights cupboard and someone had to climb into the clock housing each week to wind it up.

The Worshipful the Mayor of Stockport Councillor David Brailsford unveiled the refurbished old Co-op Clock at 10.30 am on Wednesday 30th April 2003. More information on the Marple website.

A contribution to Monday Mellow Yellows.