Project set to see Lincoln Brayford water clock chime again after ten years

The Brayford Water Chimes sculpture, or Water Clock, in Lincoln may chime again after local organisations have come forward to help fund its refurbishment.

Installed on the Brayford Waterfront in 2001 by sculptor Andy Plant, the Brayford Water Clock stopped working around ten years ago.

Since then, attempts have been made to fix the problems but none have been successful.

The Brayford Water Chimes could work again

The piece features a 26′ high rotating water clock that chimes on the hour. The top section rotates once and hour, like the minute hand of a clock.

Water should then flow constantly down the copper bowls as the hour is reached, tipping the arms and chiming the bells.

After a recent push by the City of Lincoln Council, the project will now receive the necessary funds to start it working again.

Along with the city council, funding for the project has been pledged by Lincolnshire Economic Action Partnership (LEAP), the Heslam Trust and Jackson & Jackson Developments.

Photo: Stuart Wilde

Steve Bird, Assistant Director for Communities and Street Scene at the city council, said: “We have found it difficult to obtain or prioritise funding for the Brayford Water Clock over the past decade which is a real shame, as the sculpture is very impressive when working.

“We are delighted that LEAP, the Heslam Trust and Jackson Developments have now come forward and pledged their support to the scheme to help restore the sculpture to its former glory.”

Funding for the venture will cover the restoration needed to get the clock working once more, along with a five-year plan which has been put into place to ensure that the sculpture’s future is sustained.

David Rossington, Company Secretary at LEAP, said: “Public art plays an important part in promoting the culture of an area.

“The Water Clock reminds us of the important role that water played in Lincoln’s history and the need, as time flows by, for everyone to play an active part in conserving the heritage of the Brayford as England’s oldest inland port.”

Andy Plant will remove the top half of the sculpture at lunchtime on Thursday, January 28 in order to fully inspect the internal workings of the sculpture.

This will help him gain a better understanding of the exact work that needs to be done.