Public may have to pay to fix much-loved Torbay landmark

Clock is ticking for some bay memorials

Time is running out for Torbay’s clocks – with no money in the kitty to fix them.

The harbourside Mallock Tower clock – a landmark put up in memory of nineteenth century Torbay MP Richard Mallock – will be restarted as part of the current Torquay harbourside renovation project.

But the news is less favourable for some of the bay’s other clocks and landmarks. The public may be asked to chip in to fix them.

Cllr Steve Darling (Lib Dem, Barton with Watcombe), filed a written question for a meeting of the full Torbay Council.

In it he said several of the bay’s public clocks had been out of action for a long time, including the Mallock Tower, Torquay Town Hall, St John’s Parish Church in Paignton and Old Maid’s Perch off Torquay’s Shedden Hill.

“I have been chasing up on a response about some of these for a number of years now,” said Cllr Darling, who is currently combining his council role with that of the bay’s MP.

“Can you advise when we can expect these clocks to be working again?”

In answer to his question, cabinet member Cllr Adam Billings (Con, Churston with Galmpton), said: “In the past the clocks have been maintained on an ad-hoc basis, although no formal servicing and repairs have been undertaken in recent years.

“The clocks are now in a poor state and require significant repair and conservation to bring them back into good working order.”

He said that for several years the council had prioritised other areas on which to spend its limited budget, but the condition of the clocks would be reviewed later in the year.

The Mallock Tower clock, which had been wound by hand regularly up until recently, will turn again as a result of the harbourside revamp.

Cllr George Darling (Lib Dem, St Marychurch) also asked about the state of the Chilcote Memorial in his ward. The polished granite obelisk commemorates Herbert Nicholas Chilcote, a much-loved local doctor who dedicated himself to working with people in poverty.

“It has fallen into a poor state, in need of cleaning and repair,” said Cllr Darling. “What is being done by this council to protect and maintain our statues and memorials?”

Cabinet member Cllr Jackie Thomas (Con, Kings Ash) said council officers were investigating the cost of cleaning the memorial and working out what repairs were needed.

But, she added: “There is no budget currently allocated to the repair of this memorial, and community involvement may be required to raise the necessary funds.”