The 'Leaning' Clock

If you would like to share your memories of The Leaning Clock in Chard you can complete our 'Your Memories of Chard' form here, message us on the Museum Facebook page or visit us at the Museum.

The Guildhall in Chard was built between December 1834 and September 1835.

Designed by Taunton architect Richard Carver, it replaced the old building which jutted out into Fore Street, restricting traffic flow through the town. The building originally incorporated a Town Hall, market house and a butchery. It was all costed at over £3000.

Installed in 1837 to celebrate the accession to the throne of Queen Victoria. The clock was made by J.P.Payne of Bloomsbury and installed by the local firm of Reuben and John Lemude.

The cast iron frame is of a side by side ‘birdcage’ construction and was originally lit by gas. The clock has three trains, a time keeping train, an hour striking train and a “ting-tang” quarter chiming train fitted with an electronically operated device to prevent it chiming the quarters at night.

In 1998, the machinery powering the clock dials was removed and restored by a local expert, Peter Watkinson. The 200-kilo machinery was dismantled and transported back to the Guildhall before being reassembled in its original position. In 1974, the bells were recast by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry.

If you would like to share or you have different memories of the Guildhall ‘leaning’ Clock you can message us on the Museum Facebook page, email us at info@chardmuseum.co.uk, or visit us at the Museum or any Chard Revealed event.