Clock Tower – The Hands Of Time

Chevin Clock Tower April 10 2011 Hands Of Time 8th October 2008Menston Asylum 1910 Block 14 Tower August 12 2010 Chevin Clock Tower Gardening Chevin Clock Tower Jan 2011 Clock Movement Clock Tower Stairs Clock Tower Stairs Two Faced Clock Tower East Face April 2010 Clock Tower 2003 Clock Tower April 2010 Clock Tower Admin From Block 14 Gate July 24 2010 Clock Tower Block 14 Clock Tower Capping Stones April 2010 Clock Tower Capping Stones Detail April 2010 Clock Tower North Face Glass Removed April 2010 Clock Tower Corner Stones Clock Tower Dead Centre April 2010 Clock Tower Detail April 2010 Clock Tower Entrance Architecture July 24 2010 Clock Tower From Floor Level Two Faces June 15 2010 Clock Tower Looking Male Side The Clock Tower 2007Clock Tower North Face April 2010 Clock Tower Stair Case Clock Tower Steps Clock Tower Superstructure Clock Tower West Face High Royds Clock Tower 2007 High Royds Drive Looking From The Clock Tower April 2010 Clock Tower May 12 2010 Rope Ladder Clock Tower April 2010 Top of the Shop Clock Tower April 2010 High Royds Clock Tower Scaffold Closer April 10 2010

From far off, visitors to High Royds are at first impressed by the striking roofline complete with fairytale towers. Dominating all was the great clock tower, it’s solid bulk sparsely decorated with low battlements and heavy gothic arches.

The clock was manufactured by the great clockmaking dynasty Potts & Sons, who had been involved in the business since 1790. In 1847, William Potts was commissioned by Lord Grimthorpe to manufacture a clock for Ilkley Parish Church. This was the beginning of a lifelong friendship which produced many introductions for further work with which Lord Grimthorpe was involved.

The latter part of the Victorian era saw many large clocktowers being built. This was a pioneering age of order and discipline and the clock at High Royds was inescapable for inmates and staff alike. It served as both a landmark and practical feature.

Try as they might, patients and workers could not escape the clock. Time had to be kept: this was an ordered institution.

Architect’s Narrative

Roof hipped with decorative iron finials has central tower (former water tower) which has 2 transomed windows to lower stage; clock in painted arched recess of several orders to upper stage; and machigolated, embattled parapet (formerly surmounted by timber framed, gabled water tank).