PLANS for the restoration of the famous town clock in Ruthin are set to be realised.

Work will commence in the next few weeks on the project to restore the Grade II listed structure, with the restoration plans to be on display in a special exhibition in the Old Courthouse as part of a wider community engagement project.

Ruthin Town Clock (otherwise known as the Peers Memorial) is the focal point on the town’s square and questions have been raised for the past few years about the condition of the structure.

In 2020, a committee of local volunteers was formed with the sole intention of carrying out some restorative works to the clock to preserve it for future generations.

“Our sole intention is to restore the clock to as close as possible to its condition when it was built – not to change the clock in any way,” stated committee chair Fiona Gale.

At the start of 2021, funding was secured funding from Clocaenog Windfarm Fund, Denbighshire County Council and Ruthin Town Council to appoint a conservation architect to draw up a programme of works to the clock.

The architect appointed was Elinor Gray-Williams, based on her extensive knowledge and experience in the field.

Ms Gray-Williams had previously worked on numerous prominent restoration projects in Portmeirion, Caernarfon, the buildings of the Bardsey Island Trust and Bangor Diocese to name only a few, and has completed a conservation management plan for the medieval walls at Ruthin Castle.

The town clock was built in 1883 as a memorial to Joseph Peers – a local man who was Clerk of the Peace in Denbighshire for more than 50 years in the 19th century.

It was designed by the prominent Chester architect John Douglas and the clock is owned by Denbighshire County Council.

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The clock restoration project has received funding for the capital works from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund bid alongside other project such as work at St Peters Church, the Old Gaol, Nantclwyd y Dref and the proposed changes to St Peters Square.

The community exhibition will be open 10.30am-3.30pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays between Monday the 1st of July and Monday the 5th of August.

“The committee would encourage everyone to go and see the plans for themselves, so they can form their own opinion and see exactly what will be done,” stated clock committee member and town councillor Anne Roberts.

“This project will ensure the clock remains in good condition for decades to come.”

If you have any questions about the project or the community exhibition event, please contact the committee via the following email address - 1883cloc.k@gmail.com.