Warden of St Mary’s Church in Diss calls for town to help get clock ticking again
A church warden is hoping the community will come together to help finish a restoration project, costing more than £16,000, for his town’s oldest timepiece.
Ron Wheeler, who has been a warden for St Mary’s Church in Mount Street, Diss, for about 18 months, is calling on businesses and residents to donate to help get the site’s clock ticking again.
Work began in October to rewind hundreds of years off the clock and bring it back to its former glory, but, to fully fund the project, Mr Wheeler said it would need a little hand.
“In the summer of 2022, the Rector of Diss, Rev Canon Tony Billett, suggested we try to get the clock restored and estimates were collected from reputable clock restorers – not an easy task as there are not many available,” said the 77-year-old.
“But, eventually, we found restorer Simon Michlmayr from Norwich, who, following a thorough inspection, gave us a quote of £16,821.”
After the 13th-century tower’s roof was made watertight again – to the tune of £2,350 – as leaks had done more damage to the mechanism, fund-raising events were held to raise clock restoration money.
These included concerts from the town’s Salvation Army Band, Suffolk opera singer Laura Wright and an ensemble of musicians, as well as quiz nights and sales.
This summer, the Friends of St Mary’s Church Diss was formed and the group made a donation to the fund that was also boosted by a grant of £8,000 from a charity that Diss Town Council operates.
But the full amount is still yet to be reached and time is running out.
“The people of Diss always ask me when it is going to be repaired as they are used to using it in the past for the time when they were in town,” said Mr Wheeler.
“It is a centrepiece of the town and a huge part of Diss. I know it is expensive for the repair, but I hope some will come forward, donate and help us to finally get the right time back on the clock.”
The church warden said the actual mechanism of the clock itself could be up and running in a month, but it is the face of it which would take time to repair.
“That is also the most expensive part of the restoration,” he said.
“It would need to be dry weather for the new enamel and the gold leaf to be put on as well as scaffolding for the work.”
The Friends of St Mary’s Church is continuing to raise money for the clock and to financially support the Grade I listed building and its maintenance.
But further backing is needed to keep the historic site, which had poet laureate John Skelton as its rector 500 years ago, conserved.
“We are open to contributions and new members to the Friends of St Mary’s Church,” said Mr Wheeler.
“I know the community of Diss would like to keep this amazing building here for time to come.”
If residents or businesses in the town would like to find out more about contributing to the clock restoration or to the church, call the church office on 01379 643783.