Horsham clock repair man’s dream for the future

Horologist Stephen shares his passion for clock conservation and creation
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Name: Stephen Jackman FBHI (Fellow of the British Horological Institute)

Job: Clock repairs and conservation, based near Pulborough

How did you decide on this career?

Stephen Jackman FBHI  (Fellow of the British Horological Institute) SUS-200924-115836001Stephen Jackman FBHI  (Fellow of the British Horological Institute) SUS-200924-115836001
Stephen Jackman FBHI (Fellow of the British Horological Institute) SUS-200924-115836001

When I left school I started a four year apprenticeship as a furniture maker. When I was making and carving fireplaces for a company in Worthing, I was inspired by a colleague with a passion for clocks and attended four years of part -time Horology courses (20 years ago) and decided I wanted a career change. I studied at West Dean college on their full time course in clock conservation and restoration at the end of which I was awarded a post-graduate Diploma in Horology. I also took the British Horological Institute exams and now am FBHI (Fellow).

How does a normal day usually go?

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I generally spend Monday and Tuesday visiting customers to attend to their clock problems or receiving clocks in my workshop. The rest of the week I try to spend in the workshop at the bench getting on with the work that has come in, sometimes from London dealers, but mostly from the general public.

Six weeks a year I run clock repair courses (www.clockcourses.co.uk) at the delightful Bignor Park, near Petworth. Ten students spend a week working on their own clocks under my tuition.

What job gives you the most satisfaction?

I love teaching but when I am in my workshop I work on all sorts of clocks from 1620 to 1920 but I specialise in repairing and rebuilding Longcase clocks and English fusee clocks. I do general servicing and repairs but also spend a good deal of time rebuilding clocks where parts have been lost or broken. Often new parts need to be made to get it back to an original design and condition.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I have made new clocks (to original designs) from scratch for customers, including the cases and I would like to expand on this side of the business. My dream would be to stage an exhibition of clocks I have made myself and establish a museum of antique clocks.

www.clockcourses.co.uk

Telephone 01798 831286

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