Description
Dumpman Films set out document the amazing restoration work that had been completed in 2018 on the clock at this disused station.
Back story: a couple of years ago, a keen horologist (that means someone who really likes clocks) named Simon Allen was on a guided walk of the disused railway between Crowhurst and Bexhill. The lady running the walk recommended a Dumpman dvd (hurrah !) showing the course of the line, as it had appeared in 2009, before a bypass was built over it.
On watching the dvd, Simon noted that the impressive clock on top of the station known as Bexhill West did not appear to be working. Following tenacious negotiating with various administrative authorities, Simon started work on the clock. To his delight, the residents of Bexhill and many others, it was unveiled as a working timepiece on Sussex Day in 2018.
During the time of the railway, the clock was wound and adjusted on a weekly basis by railway workers, often leaving their signature and date in pencil on the inside of the tower. Happily, these are still visible today and can be seen in this film.
Apart from interview style footage of Simon talking about his passion for the clock and building, the idea of the film was to show the route that the railway workers would have taken through the station building and up into the attic space, before reaching the clock. This involves numerous ladders, a series of gangways through the rafters and even scrambling on all fours to get to the top.
Simon explains the work he and his team had to do to get the clock working again and winds and adjusts the clock for your viewing pleasure. A newly re-opened roof hatch also allows rarely seen views across the top of the remaining platform canopies and out to the north along the track bed towards Sidley. Finally, a brief visit to the basement shows a remaining hand operated parcel lift, still quietly waiting for restoration.
The film finishes with a slide show of stills taken along the way during filming.
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