Highbridge’s crumbling town clock looks set to be replaced with a new four-faced clock in 2012 costing between £20,000 and £25,000.
The Town Council confirmed this week that it is awaiting detailed drawings and plans from two commercial clock manufacturers for the new design.
While no final decisions have been taken on the final look of clock, Town Council Clerk Eileen Shaw said: “The four faced clock is considered to be more suitable as there are now four roads leading from the roundabout as opposed to three when the original three-faced clock had been erected.”
The clock – known locally as the ‘three-faced liar’ because its faces rarely tell the same time – has a long history, having been built by Rainforths of Bridgwater and unveiled at Highbridge’s Cornhill by the junction of Church Street and Market Street in 1897 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. The original clock was replaced in 1965, a year after a lorry demolished it and the current one was re-sited in 1972.
Cllr John Morgan expressed concerns at Monday’s meeting that the design of the new clock will not feature enough of Highbridge’s heritage on several plaques to be added to the clock’s faces.
“The town of Highbridge has in the past been linked to things like railways, bricks, cheese and bacon – not the Queen’s Jubilee. I don’t want to see Highbridge’s heritage forgotten in the new design,” he said.
Cllr Janet Keen added: “There is an active local history group in Highbridge whom I am sure would be happy to put together historical information about the town for use on the designs.”
Cllr Joe Leach told Monday’s meeting he welcomes the proposed new design of the clock, adding: “I think the proposals to modernise the clock are very welcome.”
Burnham-On-Sea.com reported earlier this year that Raglan Homes, which is building a new development of houses next to the town’s Asda store, will give £10,000 of community funding towards the cost of the new clock.
