£17,000 repair of York-made clock for Newburgh Priory

After more than 15 years stuck at 10.59am, the 19th-century clock at Newburgh Priory, near Coxwold in North Yorkshire is ticking once more following a £17,000 restoration project.

Frost damage had displaced one of the stone dials, trapping the hands and halting the mechanism on the Georgian gatehouse.

£17,000 repair of York-made clock for Newburgh Priory - the restored clock tower is now fully working after a £17,000 project (Image: Howardian Hills / Tony Bartholomew)

The restoration project was supported by a £13,000 grant from the Howardian Hills Partnership through the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) scheme.

Paul Robson, from Newburgh Priory Estate, said: "Seeing the clock working again is like welcoming back an old friend.

"Once again it is the focal point of the gatehouse building, which is the first thing visitors see. "Measuring time has been an essential part of regulating life at Newburgh Priory from monastic days to more recent times.

"The clock is also nearly 170 years old, so it’s a slice of history in itself."

Nick Burrows, from the Howardian Hills Partnership, said: "We have supported a number of projects to revive historic farm buildings at the Priory, keeping them in agricultural use.

"A working clock is very much part of the fabric of local life and we are delighted with the outcome."

Nick Burrows from the Howardian Hills National Landscape marking the restoration of the historic clock tower at Newburgh Priory. (Image: Howardian Hills / Tony Bartholomew)

The clock was made in 1858 by Darling and Wood of Coney Street, York, and once supplied similar timepieces to the North Eastern Railway Company.

Terry Hill, a veteran engineer who lives near Castleford in West Yorkshire, who last serviced the clock more than 30 years ago, returned to oversee its revival.

Engineer Terry Hill serviced the same 1850s mechanism 30 years ago (Image: Howardian Hills / Tony Bartholomew)

Following stone repairs and the reinstallation of the dials, Mr Hill cleaned, repaired, and waxed the mechanism and striking hammer.

Mr Hill said: "I’ve worked with clocks since I was 16 years old.

"I still get a huge thrill out of bringing a clock back to life, especially after it’s been stopped for so many years."

Newburgh Priory was founded in 1145 by Augustinian monks.

The medieval ruins stand alongside the later family house, which was built from the 17th century onwards and is reputed to be the resting place of some of Oliver Cromwell’s remains.