Ian’s timely move proves a winner

IAN Dronsfield outside his Manor House clock

Enterprising Ian Dronsfield has stolen a march on time by installing a clock on the chimney of his ancient home.

Frustrated villagers were fed up of the area being tagged the place where time stands still after the timepiece at Saddleworth Parish Church stopped more than a year ago.

And, despite calls from frustrated church officials, embarrassed that fingers on the three faces on the church clock remain stationary, they are still waiting for a decision over repairs and maintenance of the timepiece.

But now Ian (32), the youngest of the five Dronsfield children, who works in the family’s engineering business, has installed a white-faced timepiece that is described as a boon by travellers and locals.

The clock stands on a chimney block at Manor House, Dobcross, overlooking Wallhill Road and the main A62 Huddersfield to Oldham road.

“It is keeping excellent time and travellers say it has become a landmark,” says Ian proudly.

“It was my father Melvin’s idea to install the clock,” he explained. “It really is something different and visitors to our business always make favourable comments because its a real help in them taking time checks.”

The ill-fated church clocks stand on a hillside directly opposite Ian’s home – but more than two miles away.

Church verger Stanley Cowburn and the parochial church council have been pressing Oldham Council to make repairs to the church timepiece for more than a year.

“It’s really frustrating,” said Stanley. “It has been the butt of some jokes in the parish — particularly from regulars at the near-by Church Inn.

Sympathy

“But we are still waiting for the council to update us on exactly what their plans for the clocks are.”

Church Inn landlord Julian Taylor said: “We have real sympathy with church officials. The clock has three faces and points to Diggle, Uppermill and Greenfield.

“But all of the stationary clock fingers show a different time. It’s a cause for some embarrassment — and jokes.

“However, at least the clock faces are right twice a day,” he quipped.