Mike to seek help from the Big Ben experts

Mike Dalton is seeking answers to why the clock at St Anne’s Church runs fast

A TIMEKEEPING fanatic is visiting experts at Britain’s most iconic timepiece to ask why his church clock is running fast.

Mike Dalton, a retired BT engineer, maintains the clock at St Anne’s Church in Lydgate.

But the father of two has discovered the clock, which has four, 7ft diameter faces, gains up to three minutes in a month during the winter.

In search of an answer, 59-year-old Mr Dalton is to visit the clock tower at London’s Palace of Westminster which houses Big Ben, the massive bell which weighs more than 13 tons.

Mr Dalton, from Grasscroft, has been a regular churchgoer at St Anne’s for more than 30 years.

He took on the job of managing the St Anne’s clock after it was fitted with an electronic winder some years ago to ensure it keeps the correct time.

“It’s a truly marvellous timepiece considering it’s nearly a hundred years old, ” he said. “I climb the tower a couple of times each week to check out the mechanism and ensure everything is working perfectly.

“However, during winter the clock speeds up and can gain up to three minutes in a single month. I believe this is because of atmospheric pressure — but I want to find out more from the experts who control our nation’s best-loved timepiece.”

Mr Dalton got the idea to make the fact-finding visit after seeing tours of the clock advertised on the Internet and inviting people to apply to their MP.

He contacted Phil Woolas, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, and outlined his plan.

“Phil has been terrific” he said. “ He has been really helpful and efficient.”

Big Ben’s timekeeping is strictly regulated by a stack of coins placed on the huge pendulum. Each dial is 23ft square, the minute hand is 14ft long and figures on the face are 2ft high.

Experts say adding or subtracting coins minutely alters the position of the pendulum’s centre of mass, the effective length of the pendulum rod and the rate which the pendulum swings.

Mr Dalton uses the same method to adjust the speed of the pendulum at St Anne’s clock.

“I want to make sure I get some tips from the experts on how to make the adjustments and to improve its performance in the winter,” he added.

He is being joined on his visit by his wife, Sheila, who is attending a flower arranging demonstration at Westminster Abbey.