PEOPLE can find out more about what makes things tick by watching horologist Matthew Read work on one of The Bowes Museum’s longcase clocks.
The mahogany cased neo-classical style clock dating from the 1780s was made by Harrison’s of Newcastle and has been on view in the English Interiors Gallery.
It is about to undergo conservation in the Blue Picture Gallery. Clock specialist Mr Read will be joined by the conservation team and over two days (March 27 and 28) they will carefully take it apart, assess its condition and repair it before assembling and oiling it to get it going again. Visitors to the museum will be able to watch the process and ask Mr Read questions about the work and queries they may have about their own clocks.
Mr Read said: “A recent study into historic craft practices found that horology is on the endangered list with a declining number of people to pass skills onto the next generation.
“Hopefully by performing this conservation in the public space of the gallery it will not only put a beating heart back into the room but also entice more people to try out the trade or take an interest in the technology behind a clock.”
Mr Read will also be giving a talk about clock conservation on March 27 at 11am. It is drop in session where people can find out more about clocks.
