Sims Clock, also known as the Four Clocks

I had to get some documents printed in thew town centre on behalf of Stroud Preservation Trust, of which I am an active trustee. Having received the finished documents I walked to the post office to send them on to others, and passed by this clock.

I was a town councillor for about a decade until three years ago. Since I stopped thew town council has taken over responsibility for several important town properties, including Stroud Subscription Rooms (whose front entrance columns can just be seen in the background, behind the tree) and Sims Clock. Prior to this they had been owned by the District Council and  both are now being looked after much more carefully, or even tenderly. Not long ago the clock's timing mechanism was restored to proper working order and now the stonework has been repaired as parts of it were getting rather dangerous. 

Once upon a time there was a 'public convenience' beneath the four clocks, but they closed a long time ago. I'm not sure what condition they were left in. 

I'm off to a trustees meeting this evening and there we will be discussing another important local building which the trust is considering taking on as a project. It is currently owned by the District council as well but they want to get rid of it. The local community understandably and correctly want to make sure they have a say in what happens to the building next, and in principle are likely to support our plans. But as always the financing may be a difficult issue. No decisions are imminent, but  something has to be done!

If you are interested in old buildings and the issues of preservation do have a look at Stroud Preservation Trust's website which features some of our completed projects around the town.