Clock in Arndale

Atarah · 13-02-2004, 11:02

Hey, its just said on the radio that they are gonna get rid of the clock in the Arndale (which does not open anymore!) and replace with tables and chairs for an open style cafe. Nice one! I never did like the clock, it even scared me!!! The "Father Time" clock was designed by Andy Plant, after he won BB2's "Great Egg Race" in 1986. The sculpture centres around a globe made from a welded steel frame covered with a beaten aluminium skin, the land masses standing out in relief. On the top of the world sits a sleeping Father Time on a bicycle. Approaching the quarter hour, a little schoolboy slowly creeps (er, crept, past tense!!) out from the top of the world, aiming to swipe Father Time's alarm clock. But the old man stirs and the schoolboy retreats (BET YOU NEVER KNEW THAT, EH?). Then, on the hour, Father Time wakes to his ringing alarm, and sets off on his bike. As he begins, he rises up into the Arndale Centre's feature dome on a cloud followed by two flying cherubs. At the same time, the world begins to spin and opens to reveal a fun band playing "Rock Around the Clock" on drums, accordion, maraccas and tambourine (FUN BAND!! It used to scare the daylights out of me!!!) The performance over, the world closes and Father Time returns to the top of the globe and his slumbers.
See, I am full of useless information!

Tealeaf · 13-02-2004, 11:45

What's going to happen to the clock? Is it going to be offered for sale - so someone can at least try and fix it and give it a good home? Or is it going to be re-located somewhere? Or is it going to go out by the usual Accy method, i.e. demolition?

And whats all this about a cafe? Lets hope it's not a Starbucks or a Costa Coffee........like MacDonalds and the AIDS virus, you can't stop 'em from spreading. I fear it will be. Still, no doubt it will compliment the new witherspoons pub, so all the happy tartan-clad drinkers can stagger out their smoke-free pub, crawl through the Arndale Centre and with their hard-earned savings from the pub spend 3 quid on a double expresso-mocco, all before 3 o'oclock on a saturday afternoon.

Pass the de-cafe, someone.

janet · 13-02-2004, 11:55

I cant see why they cannot leave the clock were it is,does'nt take up much room does it? but saying that i always thought it was a monstrosity myself.

Roy · 13-02-2004, 17:52

give over - the clock is the most interesting place in the arndale, it gives us something look at and is a talking point. It certainly was working about 2-3 months ago when I showed it to my Russian girlfriend who thought it was strange but at least slightly more interesting than a clothes shop. To fix it would certainly not be difficult, that is a poor excuse. Maybe they switched it off after they recieved an offer from an evil company like starbucks for a cafe in the middle, they certainly will make more money from that than just having the clock there... So there you go, the Arndale Clock conspiracy, is it really not working or is it just switched off?

lettie · 13-02-2004, 17:58

Talks are being held with Hyndburn First, regarding a new home for the clock, but nothing has been finalised. This is according to this weeks Observer, they are putting out an appeal for someone to take the monstrous thing off their hands. Never been fond of the clock, but don't think it should be scrapped, as I'm sure plenty of people like it. As for the coffee place, I can't see it being a Starbucks etc. Will probably be coffee, sandwich and a cake for a quid!!!! Which should fit in quite nicely round these parts..

Roy · 13-02-2004, 18:03

hmmm.... a new home for the clock, where could it go apart from there? Are there any other centre pieces for accrington? Where will the young uns meet, as that was the latest "under the clock" meeting place. Hows about waterproofing it and sticking it up the top of the coppice, it'd sure be better than the UFO!

mick · 13-02-2004, 18:12

This is in the OBSERVER
The death knell has sounded for the unique Father Time clock in Accrington's Arndale Centre.
The extravagant centrepiece which at one time drew in big crowds,is set to be pulled down to make way for an open-plan cafe in the Arndale's main gathering point.
The change set to be giventhe green light by planning chiefs today will mark the end of an era.
The colourful clock which opens into a flower revealing fairyland creatures playing Rock Around the clock has been in place since the centre's opening in 1987.
However it has not been working since October due to problems with the three motors.

WINGY · 13-02-2004, 18:17

Going back a few weeks there were posts made on here about the clock on the bus station, and how people had memories of the clock for meeting etc.
Although the the clock in the arndale may not be an impressive masterpiece, everybody knows it, and for many of the younger generation in accy it is a landmark in the town. People may say that it is a waste of space but to me and many others it will be a sad occasion if/when it is removed, and lets be honest if it disregarded area of accy why did the subject get posted here and why is it getting a resonse!!!!!!!!

Roy · 13-02-2004, 18:33

I'm sorry but the excuse about it failing does not wash over on me. I am an engineer and I work on machines far more complicated than that clock. A 1 day call out is all it would take to repair it(+new parts delivery) - I would quite happily volunteer my services for free to repair it, if it meant it would stay.

WINGY · 13-02-2004, 18:37

I agree! the clock is part of accy and i would offer free services ( as a Qualified Mechanical Engineer) if it meant the clock could live on

mick · 13-02-2004, 18:44

quote from the observer i ant typing it all in so there
We appeal to anyone who could provide a home for it to come forward.
We are in talks with Hyndburn FIRST about possibly putting it in the Market Hall
but nothing is finalised.
We would be very interested to hear people's ideas about where it could go .
I would like to ensure it is still on public display.