Home / Arts and Entertainment / Volunteer engineer revives iconic clock
Volunteer engineer revives iconic clock
17 May
Summary
- A 23ft clock, installed in 1973, is removed for overhaul.
- Retired engineer Pete Dexter volunteers to meticulously repair it.
- The clock has raised over £300,000 for charity throughout its existence.
The iconic 23ft Emett Clock, a beloved fixture in Nottingham's Victoria Centre since 1973, has been removed for a comprehensive six-month overhaul. Pete Dexter, a retired engineer who has dedicated over a decade to maintaining the clock, is undertaking the extensive restoration voluntarily. He plans to meticulously disassemble the Aqua Horological Tintinnabulator, which officially is named, into thousands of parts to ensure every component is checked and repaired. Dexter expressed his commitment to making the clock "better and brighter" and ensuring its longevity for future generations.
This intricate clock, designed by Rowland Emett, features thousands of moving parts, including 19 unique butterflies, each requiring precise reassembly. Dexter's expertise is crucial to maintaining the mechanism's integrity, especially after a previous full restoration in 2014. Beyond its artistic and engineering marvel, the Emett Clock has a significant charitable impact, having raised over £300,000 for various causes through dispensed coins at its base. Victoria Centre director Nigel Wheatley emphasized the importance of this refurbishment, recognizing Pete Dexter's unparalleled knowledge in preserving this piece of the city's history.
