Robert Owen feature clock project for the Co-op, Belper.



Working closely with one of the Midlands leading design agencies ‘Mayers Design’ this year long project was one that would test and innovate.

A feature clock to be installed in Belper, Derbyshire to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the Co-op and Welsh textile manufacturer, philanthropist, social reformer and a founder of the co-operative movement Robert Owen.

In 1817 Robert Owen formulated the goal of an eight hour working day with the slogan: “eight hours labour, eight hours recreation, eight hours rest.” And this is where the clock design was born.


The concept was to have a 24 hour dial around the outside of the clock feature, broken up to show the eight hour day splits, with a singular red hand showing the time. Behind this would be two panels rotating in opposing directions with artwork depicting Robert Owen, only becoming clear as they align on the hour.


Timber patterns and moulds were produced by our in-house pattern maker, off which GRP bezel elements were produced. The dials were produced using our in-house laser cutter, vinyl plotter and CNC router.


Production and assembly of this bespoke clock took time as there were many elements to it, including the housing, the outer dial, hand, inner panels, LED illumination, bespoke three hand movement and controllers to keep everything in synch.


This exciting project culminated in Good Directions installing the clock with much interest from staff and local residence. The clock was unveiled during a celebration including local school bands and is hoped to be a continual reminder to all that there should be a good work-life balance for all, as well as being a celebration of a true visionary who helped shape our modern lives.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A new pavement clock made for Windsor the only one in the UK

Image
It was an exciting moment as many people watched the replacement clock we manufactured for the Royal Borough of Windsor being lowered into the pavement in Thames Street, the exact spot where the original clock had been placed over fifty years previously. Lowering the pavement clock into the ground at Windsor The original clock was installed on May 15, 1950, by former Windsor Mayor and owner of Dysons, Sir Cyril Dyson. Sadly the clock was removed many years ago and its wareabouts is now unknown but the council wanted to re-instate an important part of Windsor's heritage and so approached us to manufacture a replacement. Grandaughter of original clock maker with the Mayor at the unveiling of the new clock Dyson's grandaughter Caroline Fox, whose father Geoffrey Dyson took over the family business until it closed in the 1980s, proudly watched as Mayor Cllr Catherine Bursnall, unveiled the new clock. Mrs Fox, from Maidenhead, said: "It is very emotional, I feel my
Read more

Certificates for Customer Service qualifications received by Good Directions Ltd staff

Image
 Sales Advisors - Melanie (left) Maria (right)  At Good Directions Ltd we are lucky enough to have loyal staff that have been with us for many years, including two of our Sales Advisors - Melanie Cassie (who has been with us for eleven years) and Maria Rudd (who has been with us for five years.) Last year we were pleased to offer them both the opportunity to work through an NVQ and an Apprenticeship in Customer Services so that they could both obtain qualifications to support the work that they do every day. Having put in an enormous amount of effort, hours of study and thousands of words into their case studies, we are pleased to say that both have passed with flying colours and have now received their certificates. Both staff deal with our customers every day helping to quote our many products including exterior clocks, clock towers, weathervanes and copper guttering. For more information on all our products please visit our website http://www.good-directions.co.uk/ or contact us
Read more

Two exterior clocks donated as a lasting leaving gift to their school by pupils.

Image
Pupils at a school in Sussex decided that when they left they would like to give a leaving present that was a thank you to the whole school and would also be of use for many years to come. So the year of 2010 all raised money to be able to donate two large exterior clocks and came to us for advice. The pupils chose two 790mm Classic style clocks in dark blue from our range of standard exterior clocks. Gold leafed Arabic numerals were chosen to make the clocks clear and simple to read, then to personalise the clocks it was decided that the school logo would be sign written above the hands and the year 2010 sign written below. Having an in-house sign facility meant we could not only sign write the dials using special 22 carat gold leaf vinyl but even provide a brass plaque with all 52 of the children’s names on it to be fitted beneath one of the clocks, making us a one stop shop for the whole project. The school was so pleased with the clocks they have come back to order two more an
Read more