Great Harwood: Memorial Clock restored

After several months hidden under wraps the Great Harwood Mercer Memorial Clock Tower has this month been revealed in all its new glory.  The repair work which was funded by Hyndburn Council and £27,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), has resulted in this much loved local landmark being restored back to its former glory.

As part of the project year 5 and 6 students in local schools have been completing workbooks and doing art projects to learn about the life and times of John Mercer, to whom the clock is dedicated.  The clock tower, which is at the heart of the much loved historic town square, was unveiled in 1903 with much local pride, and dedicated to John Mercer, the inventor of a cotton treatment process known as Mercerisation.  Mercerisation was a milestone for the cotton industry making the material softer, stronger and easier to dye.

Copies of the school workbook and the original souvenir booklet can be downloaded from the Great Harwoods community website www.mercerclockwatchers.com/downloads-1/school-pack/

The finale to the project which has been led by Hyndburn Borough Council, the Great Harwood Civic Society and the Great Harwood Community Action Group will be the rededication of the clock tower which will take place at 6pm Friday 6th December, to coincide with the Christmas light switch on.  During the event Leslie Mercer and local artist Eddie Foster will be unveiling and dedicating a piece of artwork, which Eddie has created to represent the work undertaken by the schoolchildren during the project.  The artwork will be placed at Churchfield House during December so that local residents can get a better view.  Churchfield House and the John Mercer exhibition will be opened by the Civic Society during December every Thursday and Sunday.

A preview of the childrens work and the work created by Eddie will be held on 1st December 2013 at 12.30pm.  The exhibition will be held to celebrate both the childrens work and the life of John Mercer.

Great Harwood Councillor, Cllr Kerry Molineux, said; “The Mercer Memorial Clock Tower is an is a huge part of Great Harwood’s proud history and a focal point in the town, so it’s wonderful to see it restored now and that the story of John Mercer and the Tower forms part of this superb exhibition by local schoolchildren for all to come and see.

In particular the Council would like to say a huge thank you to the Great Harwood Civic Society who have provided regular weekly updates by holding an exhibition on the town square during the repair work, the major event that saw the recent opening of Churchfield House and the John Mercer exhibition, and also for completing the planting scheme around the clock tower itself.”

Cllr Molineux concluded; “The rededication and the light switch on is a community event, for all to enjoy. Everyone is welcome, so please bring all the family to Great Harwood on Friday 6th December at 6pm.”

Sara Hilton, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund North West, said: “Mercer Memorial Clock Tower is an important local landmark in the heart of Great Harwood and represents a key part of the town’s rich industrial history. Through HLF’s grant, this impressive structure has undergone much-needed restoration work and local people will continue to learn about and enjoy the story of the tower, and John Mercer, for many years to come.”