Stocksbridge War Memorial Clock Tower

Stocksbridge War Memorial Clock Tower

This square Gothic-style tower was built between 1923 and 1925 as a memorial to those who died in the First World War, designed by Wynyard Dixon. Two additional plaques commemorating Second World War casualties were added later. The tower is constructed of squared and coursed rock-faced gritstone to the exterior with brick inner walls, and features ashlar detailing throughout.

The tower sits prominently on the north side of Nanny Hill where the land drops steeply to the valley bottom. It comprises two stages: a wider, lower stage forming a walled terrace, and an upper square clock tower brought up to road level by the platform below. A gateway off the pavement on the south side opens directly onto the gravelled terrace, with a doorway behind providing access to the tower itself.

The lower stage is crowned by a battlemented parapet with crenellations formed of overhanging, chamfered ashlar blocks, creating the terrace wall. The clock tower above has a corbel table supporting crenellated battlements with two cross arrow embrasures to each face. The concealed roof is topped with a central flag pole.

The south elevation, facing onto Nanny Lane, contains the principal entrance. The central doorway has a shallow pointed arch with chamfered and stopped ashlar jamb stones, recessed spandrels and a chamfered hood mould. The panelled oak door carries a modern aluminium plaque commemorating the centenary rededication. Above the doorway, a horizontal bronze plaque with relief lettering reads: "TO THE HONOUR AND EVERLASTING MEMORY / OF THE SOLDIERS, SAILORS AND NURSES OF / THIS DISTRICT WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES / FOR THEIR KING AND COUNTRY IN THE / GREAT WAR 1914 – 1918."

Two vertical rectangular bronze plaques flank the doorway, recording the names of 108 men and one woman who died in the First World War, arranged alphabetically by surname (though four First World War casualties may be later additions). To either side of the main dedication plaque are smaller vertical rectangular bronze plaques headed 1939 – 1945, containing the names of 51 men who died in the Second World War, similarly in relief lettering.

Above the dedication plaques is a louvered pointed arch with rock-faced voussoirs and chamfered corbelled ashlar sill, containing a circular clock face with white glass, iron frame and Roman numerals, now protected by a circular Perspex cover. The east, west and north elevations each feature a similar louvered pointed arch with a chamfered ashlar transom serving as both sill and lintel to a tall vertical rectangular window below, with chamfered corbelled ashlar sill and external security frame of iron bars. Each face carries a matching circular clock face; the north-facing clock also has a Perspex cover.

The south side of the lower stage forms a low battlemented wall abutting the pavement, with a central gateway now fitted with a metal railing gate (historic photographs indicate the original was wooden). Two rectangular stone planters inscribed "PRESENTED / TO THE PUBLIC / BY THE WOMEN'S SECTION / BRITISH LEGION STOCKSBRIDGE / 1934" flank the south doorway.

The interior comprises a single brick-walled space containing the clock mechanism mounted on a metal frame, with various rods, pulleys and chains operating the clock and bells located above a plank ceiling. The mechanism is accessed through a trap door by means of a metal wall ladder. Two oval metal plaques with raised lettering are attached to the mechanism: the right reads "W POTTS & SONS LTD. LEEDS, ENGLAND. MAKERS 1923" and the left reads "ELECTRIC WINDING BY W POTTS & SONS LTD. LEEDS 1966".