The clock face of a historic church in Somerset is to be gilded to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The clock in St Mary’s Church in Portbury was originally paid for by local residents in 1887 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee reign.
The clock chimes were added for its Diamond Jubilee in 1897. This year the clock mechanism was completely overhauled for the first time in 140 years.
Its two dials will also be gilded with 24-carat gold leaf at the same time to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s platinum jubilee. Scaffolding has now been erected at the church so that work can progress.
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Les Summerfield, of the Portbury Heritage Centre, said: ‘This year the clock mechanism has been totally overhauled for the first time in 140 years and the re-gilding of the clock face will complete the job for another 140 years hopefully- the. It is fitting that this work will be completed in Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee year.
Portbury Cemetery also has a memorial Hawthorn with a plaque to record Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953. There are also other plans to commemorate the monarch’s 70 years on the throne.
The ‘Hearts at Portbury’ arts and heritage design team have come together to design and produce a large contemporary crucifix to be placed on the altar of Berkeley Chapel. The crucifix will complement the unique votive candle arrangement designed and produced by the same creative team over the past year.
Villagers can donate towards costs and have their names put on a list of contributors which will also be kept for posterity at the Church Heritage Centre. Mr Summerfield added: ‘It will be a fitting eternal tribute to Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee.
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Source: www.somersetlive.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-06-16 23:00:00
