Caring for the Clock at St Mary the Virgin Church, Bletchingley

Many people who pass through St Mary's Church, Bletchingley, glance at the church clock without thinking much about the skilled work required to keep it running reliably year-round. For generations, the clock has been an important feature of village life, marking the hours for residents and visitors alike.

For many years we have been fortunate to rely on the expertise of a longstanding clock engineer whose dedication and knowledge helped maintain this historic mechanism. Sadly, we have not received an answer from him for some time, and we fear he is no longer with us. We remember with gratitude the care and commitment he gave to the clock over so many years.

Smiths of Derby has now taken responsibility for maintaining the clock, one of Britain's most respected clock specialists. Founded in 1856, the company has extensive experience caring for historic church clocks and ensuring that these treasured pieces of heritage continue to serve their communities.

As with any historic mechanism, occasional faults and maintenance issues are inevitable. Parishioners and village residents may notice times when the clock is not keeping perfect time or may temporarily stop while repairs are undertaken. We ask for your patience and understanding during these periods as specialists arrange and complete the work.

The annual cost of servicing and maintaining the church clock is increasing markedly to approximately £1,200 per annum, plus extra work to fix the problem, which we are assessing. This ongoing expenditure helps preserve an important part of Bletchingley's heritage and ensures that future generations can continue to enjoy this familiar landmark.

We are deeply grateful for the support of all who contribute to the life of St Mary's. Donations towards the clock's upkeep, whether large or small, are always welcome and make a real difference. With your continued support, this much-loved feature of our parish can keep marking the passage of time for many years to come.

If you would like to support our Clock Fund, you can set up a standing order to help. Our details are:

Account Name Bletchingley Parochial Church Council;

Sort Code 60-16-09;

Account No. 71583467.

If you pay income tax, please also give permission for Gift Aid. Just let me know, and I will get a form to you. You can email me here

Every blessing

Father Paul