Highbridge’s long-awaited new town clock has been purchased following the completion of a successful £17,000 fundraising campaign.
Burnham and Highbridge Town Council has this week praised the generosity of the many businesses and residents who have come forward to give donations towards the purchase of the new four-faced clock, which is pictured below.
Town councillor Mike Mansfield, who oversaw the fundraising campaign, visited dozens of people in Highbridge over the past year to collect the cash and said this week he has been ‘bowled over’ by the interest.
“I have had a very positive response from people I have visited, who have been very supportive of our plans to replace the clock,” he told Burnham-On-Sea.com.
Donations and pledges amounting to £17,000 have been given towards the expected £20,000 cost of buying and installing the new clock, with the remainder being picked up by the Town Council.
“There was one very generous single donation of £5,000 which was just incredible,” added Mike.
“An offer had also been made to remove the current clock at no cost to the Town Council which is also being considered.”
He added that all those who have given donations will be acknowledged on a plaque to be sited next to the clock in the town centre.
The new structure will be installed this Spring and officially unveiled during June’s Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
Town Council Clerk Eileen Shaw confirmed to Burnham-On-Sea.com: “I can confirm that the order has been placed for the clock. We are awaiting details of when it will be arriving, but we do expect it to be in place in time for the Jubilee celebrations.”
The current clock – known as the ‘three-faced liar’ because its clock faces rarely tell the same time – has been crumbling and has needed replacing for several years.
Pictured: Above, Cllr Mike Mansfield standing in front of the current clock and, top, how the new four-sided town clock will look
