The Strines Clock, Strines, Greater Manchester

In the clock itself at Strines are details of its history. I hardly think I'd be breaking any copyright by revealing the information: it's available for all to see, local history societies clearly want to make this information available, and I reproduce this exactly as it is written:

'Thomas Bruce was for many years foreman mechanic as Strines Print Works. It is likely that he had a clock-making background, an ideal training for the innovation required in the rapidly developing calico printing industry.

It certainly seems that "Old Bruce" was resourceful, building a domestic waterwheel and manufacturing his own gas for his home "Whitecroft Cottage" (now next to the Recreation Ground). He made his turret clock (signed Thomas Bruce 1809), which was sited on the original works buildings next to Strines Hall. The coming and goings of Strines people were ordered by the striking of its bell in the days when clocks and watches were rare household acquisitions.

The eight-day movement striking hourly is mounted on a wrought iron frame - a design popular in the north and midlands in the late C18th. Bruce also made another clock for Disley Church that was replaced in the early C20th.

The Strines clock was eventually moved to the 3^rd Works circa 1930 and placed over the main entrance. This was probably a nostalgic gesture to the history of the company. When the site was demolished the community was able to retrieve it with a view to reinstating it at the original Prints works entrance. With the help of a Heritage Lottery Grant we were able to give it a new lease of life and hopefully increase the appreciation of the role this community played in the nation's social and economic history.'

There is also a plaque:

'In grateful recognition of the tireless work of Melvyn Smithin preserving our local heritage, from the community of Strines 2nd July 2016'.