David has a busy and varied concert career having performed worldwide, on BBC Radio 3 and at The Proms. David has also been Organist and Head of Keyboard at Eton College. He has made several recordings, some of which will be available on the evening.
Clock
The clock was originally built and installed by Bristol clockmaker Wasbrough Hale & Co in 1843. It was subsequently remodeled by local engineer R S Andrews of Pilton in 1884 under the supervision of the then Rector Canon Henry Pratt and Churchwardens R Norton and H Heard. This refurbishment entailed the fitting of a new dial to the clock and installing Westminster chimes.
In late summer of 2006, the Westminster chimes had not been operating for a long period of time - perhaps several years. We were approached by local clock expert and retired engineer, Dr Marcus Barton who had previously repaired and restored the clock at Leigh-on-Mendip Church.
The chimes and hourly strikes were heard again in late January 2007 albeit for several weeks before disaster struck once more. This time, a major component of the strike chain had its teeth stripped resulting in the chimes becoming silent once more.
The clock's major refurbishment was then brought under the umbrella of the bells restoration project which got underway in the autumn of 2006. Smith of Derby was awarded the contract to strip down and removed the clock for a full restoration and repair.
The clock is now back and in full working order with various aspects of the mechanism automated. Winding of the going and strike trains is now undertaken by electric motors and the clock will even correct itself for seasonal time changes.
However, purists need not worry! All works have been carried out with full consultation of English Heritage and the Council For The Care of Churches (CCC) and these 21st Century additions can be removed without trace at any time if required.