Camilla Lethbridge explains that the church clock will be silent for a while whilst the striking mechanism is mended. The arm that connects the hammer to the clock has worn dangerously thin with years of striking and it is this that has been removed for repair and strengthening.”During the regular clock service, I went up onto the top of the tower with Graham Newman from James the Jewellers who explained what he needs to do to fix the hammer.
The pictures show the problem: the hammer head is resting on the bell. This is caused by wear in the shaft of the pivoting arm. In addition, at the other end of the arm, where the striking mechanism of the clock is connected, the hole the wire is tied through has almost worn through. The wooden support on which the hammer handle is screwed is also loose. The bolts are turning and as they have flat heads there is nothing to grip onto to tighten or loosen them. They will have to be cut to remove the hammer and pivot and replaced with something that can be more easily adjusted.
Listen out for clearer strikes of the hour in a week or two. ”