100 year old clock restored at former Granton Gas Works Station
National Grid has restored the original H R Millar mechanical clock in the former Station House at The Forthquarter in Granton as part of a £268,000.00 maintenance programme aimed at attracting investment that will give this historic building a new lease of life.
While planning the recent maintenance programme, Mike Alderton, project manager at The Forthquarter brought in Lothian based specialist clockmakers James Ritchie & Son Ltd to assess the condition of the clock and was amazed when they reported that, although missing the winding handle, the 100 year old clock was in full working order.
“During the five years I have been overseeing the transformation of this former gasworks I have often wondered if the clock would still work. When the clock tower was being painted it presented an ideal opportunity to find out. Alan Wilson from James Ritchie and Son Ltd came along, set the pendulum in motion and the clock started straight away, it has kept good time since. All it needed was a new winding handle and someone to wind it once a week”.
“Now that the scaffolding is down the Station House looks amazing. New people and business at The Forthquarter have a reason to look at and appreciate the building. Older residents and former workers in the area have commented how nice it is to see it looking so splendid again ” added Mike.
Alan Wilson, Director of James Ritchie & Son Clockmakers said: “ the clock appears to be intact and fully functioning. The mechanism is housed in a wooden box which will have protected it during the time since the building was closed”.
The Station House dates to 1902 when a railway spur from the Caledonian Line was added to ferry coal and goods to the gasworks. Workers could travel from Caley Station in Princes Street straight to their place of work free of charge. The Station House ceased to operate in 1942 and has since been used as offices and more recently to store memorabilia salvaged during the remediation and redevelopment, much of which has been given to the museums store on West Granton Road.
From the initial planning stages the Station House has been integral to National Grid’s vision for The Forthquarter. The building was chosen to remain in situ to act as a reminder of the areas industrial heritage and as a physical representation of the historic link between the city centre and the local area.
John Hollies, engineering manager at National Grid added: “This significant investment in the fabric of the building has been made to stimulate interest and identify economically viable uses that will attract investment, serve the local community and enhance the development and wider waterfront”.
For more information about The Forthquarter development visit www.theforthquarter.co.uk, or call 0131 468 7067.
While planning the recent maintenance programme, Mike Alderton, project manager at The Forthquarter brought in Lothian based specialist clockmakers James Ritchie & Son Ltd to assess the condition of the clock and was amazed when they reported that, although missing the winding handle, the 100 year old clock was in full working order.
“During the five years I have been overseeing the transformation of this former gasworks I have often wondered if the clock would still work. When the clock tower was being painted it presented an ideal opportunity to find out. Alan Wilson from James Ritchie and Son Ltd came along, set the pendulum in motion and the clock started straight away, it has kept good time since. All it needed was a new winding handle and someone to wind it once a week”.
“Now that the scaffolding is down the Station House looks amazing. New people and business at The Forthquarter have a reason to look at and appreciate the building. Older residents and former workers in the area have commented how nice it is to see it looking so splendid again ” added Mike.
Alan Wilson, Director of James Ritchie & Son Clockmakers said: “ the clock appears to be intact and fully functioning. The mechanism is housed in a wooden box which will have protected it during the time since the building was closed”.
The Station House dates to 1902 when a railway spur from the Caledonian Line was added to ferry coal and goods to the gasworks. Workers could travel from Caley Station in Princes Street straight to their place of work free of charge. The Station House ceased to operate in 1942 and has since been used as offices and more recently to store memorabilia salvaged during the remediation and redevelopment, much of which has been given to the museums store on West Granton Road.
From the initial planning stages the Station House has been integral to National Grid’s vision for The Forthquarter. The building was chosen to remain in situ to act as a reminder of the areas industrial heritage and as a physical representation of the historic link between the city centre and the local area.
John Hollies, engineering manager at National Grid added: “This significant investment in the fabric of the building has been made to stimulate interest and identify economically viable uses that will attract investment, serve the local community and enhance the development and wider waterfront”.
For more information about The Forthquarter development visit www.theforthquarter.co.uk, or call 0131 468 7067.