A chamber choir will be performing at a church in Winchester to raise funds for the restoration of a rare clock.
On Saturday, May 11, the Barton Stacey Chamber Choir will be performing at St John the Baptist's Chuch with a programme of ancient and modern choral music, to fundraise for the restoration of the church's rare Elizabethan turret clock.
St John the Baptist's Church, in St John's Street, is the oldest of the many parish churches in Winchester. The current structure dates back to the middle of the 12th century, though it is believed that there are Roman remains associated with it.
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The church was used by the Winchester College choristers as a practice space before the college built their own chapel. The church is very active and a part of the East Winchester benefice, being the parish church for Winnall.
Originally, the church had no clock. However, between the 1550s and the 1960s, a clock was installed in the bell tower.
The clock itself was made between 1559 and 1562. It was removed from the tower in the late 1960s because of the state it was in, and can now be found in one of the church's chapels.
Originally, the clock had no dial face, and a bell was rung on the hour. Later, a clock face was introduced, which was no more accurate than the bell.
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Before the invention of the pendulum, the accuracy of time measurement was very low, and clocks such as this were often out by 15 minutes a day. The clock had to be wound twice a day, and the Churchwarden's accounts show that in 1595/1596 local people held a collection to employ someone 'for keeping the clock and Chimes by the Year'.
The wrought iron frame and much of the mechanism are original and similar in design to medieval cathedral clocks of the 14th century.
This is one of the few early turret clocks to survive. With its rarity, it is hoped that a suitable restoration, display, and publicity will draw visitors to St John's, who could also contribute to the maintenance upkeep of the church.
The event on Saturday, May 11 is being held to fundraise for the repair of the clock, and to 'bring it home' in full working order, in a bid to draw visitors to the church.
The choir will perform a mix of 'choral gems from across the ages' with the performance starting at 3pm on Saturday, May 11 at St John the Baptist Church. Tickets cost between £8 and £10, with under 12's available to enter for free.
More information about the church and event can be found at achurchnearyou.com.
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