Findon, St John the Baptist Primary School​

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 Plate & spacer
Trains Going & Striking
Escapement Deadbeat
Rate 2880 bph
Chime sequence Hour strike only
Maker John Smith & Sons, Clerkenwell
Date c1870
Dimentions (inches)
Frame length 18.50"
Frame depth 8.75"
Frame height 19.75"
Great wheel diam 7"
Great barrel diam 6.50"
Strike wheel diam 7"
Strike barrel diam 6.50"
No* of arbors Going: 6 Strike: 4

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
​HENRY  PRATT.
​
BRIGHTON.

​Photographs:

*Click on the photos to enlarge them*
Sources:
Visited: Cumbria Clock Company, 01/09/2026.

​© Kye L Leaver  2026. All rights reserved.