Crewe's Iconic Clock Is Preserved
Crewe Heritage Centre acquires parts from town’s iconic clock tower.
We are delighted to announce that the Crewe Heritage Centre has acquired multiple components from the ‘Big Bill’ clock tower which has stood prominently on Crewe’s skyline for over 60 years.
We would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to both Cheshire East Council and Cawarden Co. Ltd for their support in preserving parts of this iconic town landmark.
We are currently in the process of establishing our short and long term plans for this local landmark and will be excited to share them shortly.
Photograph of the tower under construction in the mid 1950s (Crewe Heritage Centre Collection).
The tower and Royal Arcade building in 1960 (Crewe Heritage Centre Collection).
Included in the acquisition are:-
4x Clock faces (2.4 metre diameter)
5x Bells (including 1.1 tonne ‘Big Bill’)
Clock mechanism
Surviving glass from two former blue faces.
The faces, mechanism and blue glass have now been transported to the Heritage Centre with the bells expected to arrive in the next few weeks.
One of the clock face arriving at the Crewe Heritage Centre.
Image of the Royal Arcade Development.
Did You Know?
Crewe’s clock tower has three different faces over its lifetime.
The faces of the clock tower were originally a deep blue colour, going through two renditions before being changed to white glass in the late 1970s
In 1956 the tower, tlock and bells cost a total of £11,950. That is around £280,000 in today’s money.
In April 2015 with the kind support of Crewe Town Council we were able to take a trip up the clock tower and take a number of photographs.