Friendly hands for clock (From Surrey Comet)

Friendly hands for clock

1:00pm Friday 6th April 2007

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Surbiton Clock Tower restoration could be drawing close after councillors agreed to help set up a Friends of the Clock Tower association.

The clock turns 100 next year, and needs about £100,000 worth of repairs.

Its sorry state was discussed at this month's Surbiton neighbourhood committee meeting, when it was decided that as well as work being done by councillors and council officers, the public should also be invited to take part in the project.

The committee agreed to faciliate the setting up of a Friends association, so that local residents can help manage the restoration of the much-loved monument. The idea was put forward by Councillor Liz Shard.

This will not be the first time in the tower's chequered history that neighbours have pitched in to save the clock tower.

In 1963 the people of Surbiton raised £328 for repairs when it was announced the clock tower was to be demolished to save the expense of restoring it.

Money for repairs to the Grade II listed building could be forthcoming from English Heritage, Kingston Council and planning gain from the recent approval of an extension to Nuffield House in Surbiton. A grant of £3,000 from the Heritage of London Trust has also been secured.

Anyone who is interested in joining the Friends of the Clock Tower group can contact Christina Gardner on 020 8547 5369.

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