Cambridge’s historic town clock is now a timer without a chimer.
But residents and local businesses who use the regular pealing to keep track of their day need not fret. The ‘Westminster Chimes’ sequence – the same used by Big Ben in London – will be back, eventually.
Waipā District Council’s property advisor, maintenance planning Dustin Mills confirmed a specialist clock repairer had disconnected the chimes this week after residents reported them going off at all hours.
But silencing the chimes was only a temporary move for a clock already diagnosed with a dodgy ticker.
“It looks like recent heavy rain may have found its way in, leaving a bit of moisture. That, combined with some old age issues already identified, has been enough to send the chimes going off at all hours,” Mills said.
“The clock is still keeping time, but it’s really just limping along. Our aim is to keep it going as long as we can until we need to take it out of action.”
In August, Council confirmed the much-loved clock was booked in for open heart surgery. A major refurbishment is needed to keep the clock, which dates from 1908, on time and chiming.
The $450,000 refurbishment requires specialist skills to remove, fix, automate and reinstall the clock mechanism. While the mechanism is being overhauled, the clock tower will also be completely refurbished. Once fixed, the clock will only require six-monthly cleaning and full servicing every 10-15 years, saving around $24,000 per year in ongoing operating and maintenance costs.
Mills said key clock components would need to be sourced off-shore, with a three month turnaround at best. A contract for the work should be awarded before Christmas with work to begin as soon as possible. In the meantime, some residents might enjoy the silence, Mills said.
“I doubt it though. There’s a soft spot in Cambridge for the town clock and I think most people will be very pleased to hear it chiming again.”
