Newport Minster Clock Restored And Keeping Time Once Again

The historic clock at Newport Minster has been repaired and is once again keeping time, after being stuck at five past one for many years.

The restoration marks the final major stage of works under a National Lottery Heritage Fund project which began in 2022.

First installed in 1858 and last refurbished in 2008, the clock has long been a familiar feature of the Newport skyline as well as a practical timekeeper for the community.

Over the years, wear to its internal mechanisms caused it to stop working, leaving the hands frozen and the chimes silent.

Specialist clockmakers from the Cumbria Clock Company travelled to the Island in October to remove parts requiring repair.

The work was completed last week, with the clock now fully reinstalled and operational.

Janet Holliday, Churchwarden of Newport Minster, said the clock means far more than simply telling the time.

She added that seeing the hands moving again is a reminder of the town’s shared history and a commitment to preserving it for future generations.

The next stage of the project will focus on restoring the clock’s chimes.

The church has thanked the National Lottery Heritage Fund for supporting the restoration project.