Many of you will know that the town clock has been experiencing issues recently. Although it has been intermittently chiming, it is not operating as it should, and we recognise the frustration this has caused.

We also know there was particular disappointment on Remembrance Sunday, when the clock fell silent at such an important moment for our community. We understand how meaningful the chimes are to residents, both on that day and throughout the year.

For reassurance, the clock was fully serviced by Smith of Derby on 21 August 2025, and at that time was expected to run reliably for the next three years. However, due to the mechanical nature of the mechanism, occasional faults can still arise unexpectedly.

We can now confirm that Smith of Derby, the specialist engineers who maintain the clock, will be attending on 11 December to investigate and carry out the necessary repairs. They are one of the few companies in the UK with the expertise to work on historic clocks, and their nationwide commitments mean their schedule is often extremely busy — but we are pleased to have secured this date.

We will keep residents updated following the visit.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.