As a Specialist Group within the Antiquarian Horological Society, the Turret Clock Group functions to promote knowledge about turret clocks. Four meetings are held each year, and take a variety of formats in different venues. Lectures, visits to turret clocks and seminar-type meetings are held. The 'Summer Tour' has always been very popular, giving members the chance to visit turret clocks in churches, towers and in private estates rarely accessible to the public. A charge is made at meetings to cover organisation costs and for donations to churches visited, this is around £2 per meeting or £5 for full-day events.
Many enquiries are answered each year, quite a number of these coming from overseas. Membership covers a wide spectrum from those just starting, to experienced experts. Some members are turret clock advisers in their local diocese, others are historians, restorers or professionals.
Past publications, which are now out of print, are: 'A Guide to Turret Clock Research', 'The Great Salisbury clock Trial', 'Turret Clocks: list of clocks from makers' catalogues and publicity materials'. In print is 'The Turret Clock Keeper's Handbook'.
Membership of the Turret Clock Group is open to all members
of the Antiquarian Horological Society. To join, just ask the
AHS Secretary to include your name on the Turret Clock Group mailing
list. Newsletters are sent out twice a year in January and September.
Watch the Journal or AHS web site for meeting details as well.
More Information on The
Antiquarian Horological Society
General Notes.
This tour for AHS members only. If you found this site and want
to come along as a visitor, please email me and I will see what
I can do depending on how full we are.
As ever, you make you own travel and accommodation arrangements as required. You attend the tour at your own risk. A charge of £10 per head will be made, this will cover donations to churches, organising expenses, entry to Combe Mill and tea. The charge does not cover entry to Keith Harding's Museum of Mechanical Music, or to the Cotswold Heritage Collection.
The itinerary is designed to be as flexible as possible, so you can choose just when you visit some of the venues. Timing is a bit tight at the start, but you should be able to see all the places in Northleach if you are quick.
Northleach Church
10.00
Grid Reference SP1015
Directions: In Northleach, just off the just off the A40 A429
junction.
Parking: Free parking in square
Church open all day
18th Century birdcage in nave, note the wonderful finials, nuts
and crowns.
(To be confirmed We hope to get up the tower to see the Smith
of Derby Clock and carillon of around 1907. If this happens it
will be between 10.30 to 11.30.)
Keith Harding's Museum of Mechanical Music
Grid Reference SP1015
Directions: In Northleach, just off the just off the A40 A429
junction.
Parking: Free parking in square
Opens 10.00
No turret clocks here, but plenty of musical boxes, player pianos,
Polyphons etc etc.
Tour takes about 1 hour.
Price is £5.00 per head or people just go in and join a
tour if there is room.
I will try to organise a party for 10.00am if there is sufficient interest. If you want to join this tour for the AHS party please contact me with your name and number in your party before Saturday 14th April. Use email if you can, it is an easy means of communication.
Cotswold Heritage Collection
Open 10.00am-5.00pm
Grid Reference SP1016
Directions: Situated right on the junction of the A40 A429 About
half a mile from Northleach town centre.
Parking: Large free car park
Admission charged
Museum in an old gaol, posted TC about 1810 and dial on display
Burford Church
Church open all day
Grid Reference: SP2512
Directions: From Northleach, head east along the A40 for about
9 miles.
Parking: Difficult, but there seems to be a steady stream of people
coming and going on the main street. There is also a free car
park to the east of the main street, but be prepared to wait for
a space.
18th Birdcage in nave, on stand and working. Leaflet on clock
in church bookstall.
Plenty of antique shops and eating places in Burford.
Asthall
Church open all day
Grid Reference SP2811
Directions: From Burford, take minor road heading east, should
be signposted Asthall. Alternatively, return to the A40, head
east, turn left at the roundabout along the B4070, then first
left signposted to Asthall.
Parking: Parking close to church is difficult. Do not obstruct
the gate next to church. If you come from Burford by the back
road, as you come into Asthall you pass some gates with strange
modern sculptures on the top. I suggest you park in the tree-lined
avenue in front of you. If you turn left past the gates, the church
is a short walk down the hill.
17th Century end-to-end birdcage with verge & short bob pendulum,
on display in nave. An important clock in original condition;
there are a few clocks of this type in North Oxfordshire.
Combe Mill
2.30 pm
Grid Reference SP4216
Directions: From Asthall take the B4070 or A40 to Witney. Leave
Witney on the A4095 heading north east. At Long Hanborough, turn
left just past the Fina garage signposted Combe. There is a sharp
left bend over the river Evenlode, the Mill is a few hundred yards
further on, just to your left, before the road goes under the
railway bridge.
Parking: Free car park.
We will be met by Clive Brimson, a member of the Comb Mill Preservation
Society. The mill is a steam-powered saw mill with 3 turret clocks.
Sorry, the mill is not in steam this weekend.
Private Collection
Location and directions provided on day only.
Two turret clocks, plus other bits in enthralling surroundings
Shipton Under Wychwood
4.30 pm
Grid Reference SP2716
Directions: From Combe try this route. North to Stonesfiled, Left
onto B4437. After about 5 miles turn right onto A361 to Shipton.
Flatbed by Profaze and Thompson c 1880
We will be met by the clock winder Mike Brooks.
Milton Under Wychwood
5.00 onwards Tea
Peter Meechum
The Old Malthouse
Milton Under Wychwood
Oxfordshire
Grid Reference SP2618
Directions: From Milton just head east for about a mile
Peter is a well established clock restorer and long-time member
of the Turret Clock Group.
Contact the AHS TCG Secretary (01707 265617). If you are a member
nad want to come.