Unexpected treasure!

Gosh! Came across this clock locked away inside the (predictably enough) clock tower in St Mary's C of E Primary School in Shenfield. We were exploring the tower as a perfect site for a webcam - the view is amazing.

This robust 19th century clock mechanism drives the clock face (just being restored) by way of a long cable and has not-quite-as-long pendulums and a wind twice a week escapement. Interestingly almost noone I spoke to at the school had ever seen it (it is the "other side" of the caretaker Steve's room) but cue long debate about what an asset for the school and could / should the children have a chance to climb the Tower, supervised and harnessed of course.

Maybe the webcam should justwatch the mechanism ticking...