Round the midnight hour

Public timepieces, on buildings, churches, etc.
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dsco
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Postby dsco » Tue 20 Feb, 2007 6:07 pm

Is it true that the Town Hall Clock never strikes midnight?
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town hall clock.jpg
Town Hall from the side
town hall clock.jpg (97.32 KiB) Viewed 2688 times
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OldBoy
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Joined: Tue 20 Feb, 2007 2:18 pm

Postby OldBoy » Tue 20 Feb, 2007 8:24 pm

I believe the story goes, when the queen opened the town hall, the midnight chime was omitted so as not to wake her. What happened at all the other hours, I have no idea! I don't know how true it is though.
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Michael
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Joined: Fri 02 Mar, 2007 5:09 pm

Postby Michael » Fri 02 Mar, 2007 11:07 pm

I think I may be able to cast some light on this one.

Many years ago, I was told that the bell was regulated to chime at 10 pm and then not until 7.00 am because of the proximity of the Leeds General Infirmary.

We didn't want to disturb the peaceful slumber of the patients there.

Best wishes

Michael
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Michael
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Joined: Fri 02 Mar, 2007 5:09 pm

Postby Michael » Fri 02 Mar, 2007 11:09 pm

There is also another tale that if you could run around the perimeter of the Town Hall in the time that the clock struck 12, the lions would come to life!

Best wishes

Michael
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munki
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Postby munki » Sat 03 Mar, 2007 6:13 pm

I've heard a version of this one too, though it was that the lions would come to life & run round the building themselves for the amount of time that it took for the clock to strike.
'Are we surprised that men perish, when monuments themselves decay? For death comes even to stones and the names they bear.' - Ausonius.
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Leeds Lass
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Postby Leeds Lass » Sun 04 Mar, 2007 2:22 am

I read recently that it was set not to strike midnight when Queen Victoria was staying in Leeds (probably at the Queen Vic behind the Town Hall).
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saabinn
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Postby saabinn » Mon 05 Mar, 2007 2:03 am

As far as I know the Town Hall was opened by Queen Victoria in 1858 but the Clock Tower wasn't added until a year later. Therefore it couldn't have stuck midnight and disturbed her sleep!
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munki
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Joined: Thu 25 Jan, 2007 5:16 am

Postby munki » Mon 05 Mar, 2007 9:44 am

This is true (sadly). When she opened the Town Hall, the clocktower was scaffolding, covered in flags. We found some great pics in the back of a cupboard here only yesterday. I will get them scanned as soon as I can.
'Are we surprised that men perish, when monuments themselves decay? For death comes even to stones and the names they bear.' - Ausonius.
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AliceCake
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Postby AliceCake » Fri 09 Mar, 2007 2:08 pm

Of course everyone knows that Oakwood Clock used to be in the middle of Leeds City Markets...
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Loinerpete
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Postby Loinerpete » Fri 09 Mar, 2007 3:05 pm

AliceCake wrote:
Of course everyone knows that Oakwood Clock used to be in the middle of Leeds City Markets...


Not sure that EVERYONE will know that but yes it certainly was.
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