Refurbished clock tower in first public school in Grimsby looks resplendent following repairs

Holme Hill School clock tower on Heneage Road in Grimsby has been shrouded in scaffolding since July 2023 as painstaking conservation work has taken place to secure the upper section of the structure for the future.

The school was designed by London architect, Charles Bell of London, and built in the late 1870s by J M Thompson of Louth. Its construction followed the 1870 Education Act, which allowed for the creation of schools managed by school boards, to provide education for all children aged 5 to 13.

Mr Bell was a prominent architect from the period, known for designing a number of Methodist churches, explaining some of the gothic style seen in parts of the building.

Senior Architectural Technologist, Gavin Duffy, is leading on the restoration of the structure, and shared some details about the work.

“The project was necessary in order to stabilise the upper section of the Clocktower including the Spire and Bellcote. Works also focused on restoring the original clock dials and mechanism and improving the roof drainage.

“Expert stonemasons have been working on site to restore and conserve sections of stonework that had deteriorated or failed due to a combination of weather and failure of the original fixings  An application of limewash mixed with stone dust was applied on completion. This ‘shelter coat’ was also applied to the ball finials atop the parapet.

“The weathervane, which sits atop the tower spire, has been carefully restored by Bacon Engineering Ltd in Grimsby, with some minor repairs undertaken including replacement of two of the letters.

“The original clock mechanism, which is as old as the building itself, and is not believed to have been operational in the last 45 years has also been restored by specialists in Derby. A modern electric mechanism has also been fitted to the tower to ensure that the clock runs to time.

“The iconic clock face itself has been cleaned and reglazed, with its hands and numerals regilded.”

Gavin added that the clock restoration company were able to ascertain the original dial colour used to paint the clock numerals, noting the similarity to the shade used on the recent restoration work of Big Ben – Elizabeth Tower – in London.

Some of the brickwork around the clockface had to be pinned to secure it to the rest of the structure.

Whilst mostly still in good condition, some parts of the stonework arcade had to be reproduced by the stonemasons.

Gavin continued: “The arcade and parapet around the top of the structure had to be removed completely to allow workers to strip and replace the box gutter and timber.

“The redesigned box gutter has been given an additional drainage outlet and spitters have also been added to allow an early warning system when the drainage outlets are potentially blocked.

“The timber housing around the Bellcote had to be reconstructed to be able to support the 16-tonne weight of the bell and spire roof. Much of the structure is made from old growth pine whereby any replacements have been undertaken in oak.

Some previously undertaken repairs to the Bellcote structure had subsequently failed and a number of areas of deterioration of the main roof structure to the spire had to be identified and repairs undertaken in a sensitive nature.

Produced by renowned Croyden clockmaker and bell foundry, Gillet and Bland, the bell was in remarkably good condition.

 “We’ve really enjoyed working on the structure, it has certainly had its challenges! It was clear from the outset that the structure was really well constructed, but that exposure to the elements for more than a century has taken it’s toll.

“With the recent restoration work, the structure should be sound for another 150-years.”

Councillor Stephen Harness, portfolio holder for finance, resources and assets at North East Lincolnshire Council, said:

“It’s great to see this incredible historic building restored and now uncovered, for everyone to see.

“Residents can once again enjoy seeing this tower as it would have looked in the 19^th century. The work to the clockface and the masonry looks fantastic.

“I’m grateful to the team behind the restoration for their hard work and commitment to bringing this structure back to life.”

Part two of the project is expected to see the rest of the building restored in phases, bringing the building back into use. Survey work is already being carried out to ascertain the scale of the works required.