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Sheerness clock tower is to return on May 17

Sheppey's coronation clock tower is coming home in time to celebrate its 120th anniversary.

The Grade-II listed timepiece was first unveiled on June 26, 1902, to mark the coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra

Going: Engineers from Smith of Derby use a crane to remove Sheerness clock tower. Picture: Donna Mansi
Going: Engineers from Smith of Derby use a crane to remove Sheerness clock tower. Picture: Donna Mansi
Going: Sheerness clock tower leaving the town on low-loader
Going: Sheerness clock tower leaving the town on low-loader
Gone: empty space
Gone: empty space

It is to return to Sheerness town centre on Tuesday, May 17, after seven months of painstaking repair work by specialists in Derby.

Cllr Monique Bonney, Swale council's cabinet member for economy and property, said: "Smith of Derby have done a brilliant job repairing and rebuilding the structure and internal mechanisms.

"They have even been able to identify the original colour scheme so when it returns it will look as good as it did when it was first installed."

She revealed that the council is working with pupils of Rose Street Primary School to create a time capsule which will be buried beneath the clock.

She said: "This is a great way to help local children explore the history of their town and feel connected."

Last day: Sheerness clock tower before it was taken down
Last day: Sheerness clock tower before it was taken down
Now: new look to base of Sheerness clock tower in its original green. Picture: Smith of Derby
Now: new look to base of Sheerness clock tower in its original green. Picture: Smith of Derby
Before: Sheerness clock tower
Before: Sheerness clock tower

Sheerness Broadway will be closed as the 34ft 6in tall cast-iron clock tower, which was removed in September, is rebuilt on site.

The eight-ton timepiece, built by Walter McFarlane & Co of Glasgow, originally cost £350. Its mechanism and four 4ft-diameter faces and faces have been stripped down and cleaned.

The parts are expected to arrive in Sheerness on Monday, May 16.

The paintwork was stripped back to bare metal and new sections of ironwork, including long-lost lanterns, have been cast to replace damaged areas.

When complete, the clock tower will be floodlit by LED lights.

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