West Station Clock – Restarted
Following the hard work of our dedicated band of volunteers, Mayor of Bexhill, Councillor Abdul Azad, was able to bring West Station clock back to life last Saturday as part of the town’s Sussex Day celebrations.
Councillor Azad reminded our members and their guests that long before the mobile phone and even the wrist watch, public clocks were like the beating heart of their community and that a station clock was especially important in making sure people wouldn’t miss their train. As the hands turned accurately for the first time since the station closed in 1964 he said, “Now it feels that part of Bexhill’s beating heart has been revived”.
Raymond Konyn, our chairman, reminded a large crowd gathered to mark the clock’s re-starting that a town’s spirit and ambition is reflected by the respect people show for its heritage buildings and public spaces. “Bexhill should be proud of its heritage but we haven’t always cared enough”, he said, “What’s lost cannot easily be replaced. It’s our responsibility, now, to cherish and safeguard the best of what we have for future generations.”
The West Station clock project has been funded entirely by our members and supporters who have given their time freely to a restoration that’s taken over 200 hours.
Media from the day
Main image: © Clare Crick
Gallery image (2): © Abul Azad
Gallery image (3-5): © Peter Hunnisett