Cowfold, St Peter​

The clock was manufactured around 1872, the year the school was constructed. The clock bell, though inaccessible, could either date from 1872, or 1824, the year the first school was built. John Smith & Sons made the clock, and it was retailed by Henry Pratt, clockmaker of Brighton. It takes the form of a cast iron plate & spacer, and is of their cartwheel design. Access to the dials and bell are by long ladders up the side of the roof. Around a 30 rung ladder required. 

In 1968, Frank Smith, clockmaker of Findon Valley fully overhauled the clock, who no doubt replaced the weight lines. It was again fully restored in 2014, funded by Findon Parish Council.

The movement itself is housed in its original case, the door of which has a print giving handwritten instructions on maintenance of the clock.

Clock Details
Clock type	Posted Frame
Trains	Going & Striking
Escapement	Anchor recoil
Rate	2329.6 bph
Chime sequence	Hour strike only
Maker	John P. Paine, London
Date	1839

Dimentions (inches)
Frame length	38"
Frame depth	18.50"
Frame height	29"
Great wheel diam	12"
Great barrel diam	7.40"
Strike wheel diam	12.5"
Strike barrel diam	7.32"
No* of arbors	Going: 6 Strike: 4

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The dial:

• ​​Description: 4 c.2.5" dials painted white with black numerals, minute markers, inscription, and hands. Each dial inscribed: PRATT  /  BRIGHTON
• Quantity: 4 (N,E,S,W)
• Hands: Copper hands, hour hands with internal counterweights.
• Lead off: Vertical; nest of bevels; horizonal to dials.

Inscriptions:

​*Text is inscribed on the plaques*

Setting dial

,Hay`, DAVIES STREET. Berkley Square, LONDON ​1839

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​Photographs:

*Click on the photos to enlarge them*

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Sources:
Visited: Cumbria Clock Company, 01/09/2026.

​© Kye L Leaver  2026. All rights reserved.