A village clock at a church in Bromsgrove has successfully been restored to its former glory.

Smith of Derby clockmakers has refurbished the copper dial on the clock for St Mark’s Church in Fairfield after years of wear and tear caused the traditional wooden plugs and screws to become loose.

The restoration was led by complex projects manager Martin Butchers and involved carefully returning the dial to its original black colour by hand with gold leaf, replacing one of the clock movements and improving the attachment method of the dial to protect it from being dislodged in the future.

Bromsgrove Advertiser: The original clock face had experienced a lot of wear and tear over the years The original clock face had experienced a lot of wear and tear over the years (Image: Fairfield Village Community Association)

Mr Butchers said: “We take great pride in the work we do at Smith of Derby, and it has been a privilege to work on the dial at St Mark’s Church.

“This project ensures the dial's longevity and functionality for the future.”

The clock was originally installed to commemorate the coronation of the late Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, so the church representatives wanted to use the restoration to reflect the life of service given by the Queen and to mark the coronation of King Charles III.

The refurbishment of the clock, which had stopped working and fallen from its position at the west end of the church, has cost more than £8,000.

This has been partially funded by Margaret Must in memory of her husband, Chris, but more money is needed to pay off the final balance on the bill.

Bromsgrove Advertiser: Rev Canon Wyn Beynon with Mrs. Margaret Must at the service of rededication for the clock Rev Canon Wyn Beynon with Mrs. Margaret Must at the service of rededication for the clock (Image: Fairfield Village Community Association)

The priest in charge at St Mark’s Church Wyn Beynon said: “The clock face looking out onto the village is a shared community asset. It may be on the church building, but it was put there by the village for everyone, and indeed was originally paid for by public subscription.

“We hope you will appreciate the skill of the makers, and those who have beautifully restored the face. It has still got an electric mechanism and this new one is exactly the same type as is installed in clocks in Middle Eastern deserts and Siberian snows, but we hope it's up to British weather.”

For more information contact the church or email Mr Beynon on bfcoffice@btconnect.com