It has served fishing crews, the town’s workers and local folk going about their business with a quick glance up the east cliff for more than a hundred years.
But, after almost three years of time standing still, plans are winding up to repairing the clock at St Mary’s Church – but it is going to cost at least £60,000.
St Mary’s clock faces were removed in 2023 after suffering “severe corrosion” following exposure to harsh weather conditions since the clock was installed in 1897.
The parish church says it now has the permissions in place to get the clock repaired and hopes to have it reinstalled in time for clock’s 130th anniversary next year – if funds can be put in place.
A JustGiving page has been set up where locals, visitors and supporters can donate to the clock cause.
The Cumbria Clock Company will recast new clock faces and complete other needed repairs. The firm are specialists in horological conservation and restoration.
Whitby’s parish church is appealing for people to help raise money towards the costs, with any surplus being spent on the fabric of the building of St Mary’s Church – which “has plenty of repair work needed”.
Father Michael Gobbett, Rector of the Parish of Whitby with Ruswarp, said: “We are very grateful for the donations that are already coming in for the work on the clock – a sign of the interest and desire of the community to see them restored.
“We know how much people miss looking up to check the time. We will be looking for grants too to help with this and have much more work to do on St Mary’s.”
He also appealed for people to get involved with helping with further fundraising for St Mary’s Church, applying for grants, carrying out regular maintenance and care for the building and welcoming visitors.
