A BELOVED public Stratton clock that has not worked for years has now been restored. 

In a tale reminiscent of the beloved 1980s film "Back to the Future," the iconic clock adorning the Stratton Methodist Church had been frozen in time, despite attempts to revive the old mechanism. 

The venerable clock, now a historic landmark, has been an integral part of the Stratton community for a remarkable 100 years, and locals recently came to the decision that costly clock experts would be needed to get things ticking along again. 

But the prospect of getting the timepiece working again resonated with the community who came together to raise the funds to get it restored back to its former glory.

Stratton St. Margaret Parish Council, the Leonard Laity Stoate Charitable Trust, St Margaret’s PCC and Stratton Methodist’s own members all helped to secure the necessary funding to embark on the much-awaited revival.

Smith of Derby Ltd, a renowned clockmaker established in 1856 with an illustrious history of preserving heritage timepieces including that on St Paul’s Cathedral, London, was chosen to restore the clock's heartbeat. 

Deacon Stephen Roe said: “As you drive down Swindon Road, before turning right into Ermin Street, take a look up at the front of Stratton Methodist Church and check the time for yourself."