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Why was the clock tower covered in scaffolding?


At the beginning of March a large piece of masonry fell from the clock tower to the ground in front of the library doors. To ensure public safety, the area was cordoned off, while scaffolders and a stone mason were found and until the required work could be completed.

Works commenced at the start of April and local stone mason Mark Heaton applied mesh to areas where stonework protrudes around the Clock and nearby Main Hall window. This is a non-invasive solution to  reduce the risk of falling stone. Some mesh was also installed on flat surfaces where there is larger unstable stone.             Showing where the masonry fell from  Overhanging stone work     Town Clerk inpsecting the south of tower

(L-R) Showing where the piece of masonry fell from/ Further overhanging stonework is covered for protection/ The Town Clerk inspecting the stonework on the south side.

The scaffolding was a large job, so to capitalise upon the access it gave, other jobs were carried out while it was in situ. Sealant was applied to crumbling stonework around the clock tower and stonework was repointed. Pigeon nesting is a long-term problem on the building, with out-of-reach gutters often being blocked, causing leaks and water damage inside the town hall. While the scaffolding was up nearby gutters and gulleys were cleared of debris, prior to nesting commencing and it is hoped this will deter nesting this year at least.

Re-pointing work                                        Clock face from the scaffolding                                            Blank space for a clock on south of tower

    (L-R) Re-pointed stonework on the north face of the tower/ The clock face shown from the scaffolding/ The blank space on south face of the tower which is not visible from below

 Finally while the scaffolding was in situ, our local horological expert Les Kirk, who has maintained the clock for 45 years, oiled the clock hands. All in all, an unexpected but welcome refurbishment of the clock tower which is so significant within our townscape.

Marketplace shops seen from the tower

(Above and below) The town as seen from the tower
Marketplace as viewed from the clock tower
 
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Stoney Wood

Stoney Wood

Stoney Wood is Wirksworth’s Millennium woodland planted in the area recovered from Stonecroft Quarry. The land on which the wood is planted was donated by Tarmac Ltd to Wirksworth Town Council. The original planting was started by Tarmac but later sections were planted by local adults and children in a project …

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Hiring the Hall

Main Hall

We have  two buildings with rooms to hire on an hourly basis, and the newly renovated Fanny Shaw’s Community Building (FSCB) which is operated on a key loan system.

Town Hall:- The Main Hall is large, suitable for a variety of uses – dance, exercise, large meeting space, wedding reception, family parties, musical events, etc, whilst other rooms – the Club Room, Ante Room, Council Chamber, are suited to smaller classes/groups. All rooms are available for hire during the day & evening during week days & weekends.

Memorial Hall:- the Hall & Kitchen are available to hire for meetings, parties, fayres, events and classes/groups, during the day & evening during week days and weekends.

Fanny Shaw’s:- Community building key available free of charge for use by groups such as: parents, schools, nurseries, scouts & not-for-profit groups holding events on the park.

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Council Meetings

Calendar

Environment & Town Affairs
(Usually held on the first Monday of the month)
Finance, Buildings & Personnel
(Usually held on the second Monday of the month)
Town Council Meeting
(Usually held on the third Monday of the month)

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Contact Address

Town Clerk - Paul Jennings
Wirksworth Town Council
Town Hall
Coldwell Street
Wirksworth
Derbyshire
DE4 4EU

Contact Us

Telephone: 01629 823408
Email: enquiries@wirksworth.gov.uk

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