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Automatic clock winder helps St Mary’s Church in Morcott keep time




For more than 100 years volunteers have climbed a church tower's many steps for one purpose.

A clock, added to St Mary’s Church in Morcott in 1921 in memory of those who died during the First World War, needed weekly winding to keep time and chime every quarter of an hour.

But now, thanks to modern technology and grant funding, the clock mechanism in the belfry has been updated so that no more manual winding is needed.

Former church warden and clock winder Eric Hazelwood in front of the clock mechanism
Former church warden and clock winder Eric Hazelwood in front of the clock mechanism

Instead, electricity runs to the tower and powers a motorised winding unit from The Cumbria Clock Company, which specialises in church and public clocks.

Susan Awcock, clerk to Morcott Parish Council, which maintains the clock, said: “The clock movement is not altered - its ticking and beautiful chimes now continue with a helping hand, in memory of those who gave their lives in the Great War, and to keep precious time for the Morcott community.

“St Mary’s Church is in the heart of our village, dates from the 11th Century, and is a Grade I listed architectural gem featuring probably the finest original Norman arches in Rutland. It is possibly also the most complete Norman church in the county.”

From left: Morcott parish council clerk Susan Awcock, former church warden and clock winder Eric Hazelwood, clock winder Nick Traylen, and parish council secretary Alison Johnson
From left: Morcott parish council clerk Susan Awcock, former church warden and clock winder Eric Hazelwood, clock winder Nick Traylen, and parish council secretary Alison Johnson

Susan added that the community was grateful to volunteers who wound the clock, both past and present, to the Augean Community Fund for a £8,500 grant administered by Grantscape, and £2,610 from the Community Infrastructure Levy - a fund paid into by housing developers for spending on local facilities.

The clock mechanism, installed in 1921, with the new winding system fitted beneath it
The clock mechanism, installed in 1921, with the new winding system fitted beneath it
Former church warden and clock winder Eric Hazelwood, parish council secretary Alison Johnson, Morcott parish council clerk Susan Awcock, and clock winder Nick Traylen
Former church warden and clock winder Eric Hazelwood, parish council secretary Alison Johnson, Morcott parish council clerk Susan Awcock, and clock winder Nick Traylen

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