Foxdale’s most prominent feature - the clock tower - is to be handed over to local commissioners this week, after more than 50 years in government ownership and a major refurbishment.
The building became the property of the Island’s social services department in 1962 when the Trust which had previously looked after it, was wound up. The transfer was made by mutual agreement under laws which allowed government to take over the assets of trusts and charities when they folded.
Since the 1960s, various attempts have been made to pass the clock tower back to the local community, but these have stalled for a variety of reasons. The edifice has been maintained over the years by the former Department of Local Government and the Environment and latterly the Department of Infrastructure, which has recently completed a substantial project to refurbish the clock.
The new owners of the clock tower plan to enhance the area around it to create a focal point of interest in the village. Mr Geoff Gelling, Chair of Patrick Parish Commissioners, said: ’We’re delighted and thankful to be the new custodians of this great asset, which is an historic emblem of the village. The Commissioners are grateful for the work that’s already been carried out to refurbish the clock and tower, and now it’s in our ownership, we plan to get the face illuminated so it can be seen at night – enhancing this useful and attractive feature on behalf of the community.
He added:
‘Community volunteers have worked for well over a year to create the Clock Tower Community Garden – they’ve done a super job and we admire and salute their enthusiasm to complete and maintain this facility.’
The clock tower was commissioned and paid for by the Isle of Man Mining Company and donated as a gift to the people of Foxdale, then a mining village, in 1901. Originally known as the Victoria Clock Tower, the edifice was dedicated to the 64 year reign of Queen Victoria and is said to have been the first memorial in the British Empire to honour the monarch in this way.
The tower was built facing the mining company’s offices and according to the Peel City Guardian of 18 May 1901 ‘ .. was situated in a specially advantageous position .. so arranged that the clock could be seen from all points of the village in order to provide a much needed standard of time to the inhabitants.’
The 40’ tower was designed in Gothic style by mine engineer John Nicholls and built by works’ masons and labourers with local stone, with corner pieces and features constructed of concrete.
DHSC Minister David Ashford said:
‘The handover of the clock tower to Patrick Commissioners has been in the pipeline for years so I’m delighted the transfer has at last been settled. I thank staff at the DoI staff for their superb job in refurbishing the clock.
He added:
‘The original dedication ceremony in May 1901 was said to have been an occasion of immense pride for the whole community. Let’s see if fresh civic pride stirs among the citizens of Foxdale as a new era begins for the village’s best-known landmark!’
