Heritage Projects Index

Renovation of the Helen Winterson Clock

As we said on our Heritage Projects page, although we can't claim any credit for this project, it's a fantastic example of how to invest in our heritage and make it work for you. We applaud Judi Winterson and David Hoyle of Helen Winterson's Ladies Fashions for celebrating 50 years in business by renovating the old Co-Op clock above their premises on Market Street. The following is the press release from Helen Winterson Ltd:

HELEN WINTERSON LTD, 6 MARKET STREET, MARPLE

The Worshipful the Mayor of Stockport Councillor David Brailsford unveiled the refurbished old Co-op Clock at 10.30 am on Wednesday 30th April 2003 at 6 Market Street, Marple. The Clock which stands high above the shopping precinct on the building which houses Helen Winterson's Ladies Fashions in Marple Village centre was originally commissioned in 1898. It has not gone for the very many years but to mark Helen Winterson's fifty years in business in Marple, the owner Judi Winterson, decided that it was time to have it renovated.

With the encouragement of Marple Civic Society and the Marple Regeneration Partnership, local clock restorer Symon Boyd was engaged to start work in removing the old clock from ifs tower. He has painstakingly covered the original Chapter Ring and Hands with 23.5 caret gold leaf, renewed the clock face and light and installed and a modem accurate mechanism. The inscription on the clock face is;

"1953-2003"

to record the fact that Judi' s mother Helen Winterson established the business fifty years ago and that it is still going strong.

The original mechanism, made by Fosters of Manchester (a flat bed dead beat escarpment for the enthusiast) incorporated a 10 foot pendulum and a weights cupboard and someone had to climb into the clock housing each week to wind it up. It is being preserved for posterity. Symon Boyd says that he has looked at the clock many times over the years and wanted to restore it and was delighted when the chance came. He said that such clocks on buildings reflected local pride and importance and that there are a number of other of clocks in the area that could and should be restored.

Helen Wintersons - 30th April 2003