Historic timepiece would cost thousands to restore, councillors are warned

TIME is running out for Seaton’s historic Jubilee Clock.

The ancient timepiece no longer chimes and the tower is falling into disrepair.

Owners East Devon District Council says it can’t afford the �3,000 - �4,000 it will cost to put it right and it wants the town to take it over.

But members of the town council this week rejected the offer, after hearing it would cost them at least �4,000 simply to repair the clock striking mechanism.

Instead, they agreed to ask the district authority to work in partnership with them to find the best way to restore the clock, in Jubilee Gardens.

Town Clerk Philip Higginson said to put it back into a condition Seaton would be proud of would cost more than the estimates provided by the district council because these did not take account of the specialist work required and the hoists and scaffolding which would be needed for the operation.

“And if you take it on you take it on for eternity,” he warned members.

Mayor Bob Palacio said: “We don’t want to lose the clock but we don’t want to take it over in its present condition. We could look to work with other organisations to restore it. I still favour leaving in their (EDDC) ownership.”