Clock Tower In Preston Park

BRIGHTON

TQ3006 STANFORD AVENUE 577-1/12/867 (North side) Clock tower in Preston Park

II

Clock tower. Dated 1891 on the foundation stone to the west, and 1892 on an inscription to the south. Designed by FJC May for the Recreation Committee of Brighton Borough Council. Paid for by Councillor Edward White. Built by F Patching and Son. Red and buff terracotta, brick and stone, granite, copper, tiles. The tower is alternately square and octagonal in plan, and rests on a plinth of granite steps. The first stage is square, with a battered base of buff terracotta and aedicules to either side formed of columns of buff terracotta carrying an entablature with stone frieze and open pediment of red terracotta; date 1891 in a cartouche to the tympanum. Within each aedicule, a round-arched niche, the architrave having a Gibbs surround, heads to keystones and a polished granite panel below, except on the east side which has a flat-arched entrance, the door having ornate wrought-iron hinges, with a shell-niche above. The upper part has a reverse squinch at the corners in the form of consoles, making the transition to the second stage which has a red terracotta frieze of festoons, long sides to the cardinal directions with 3-light, segmental-arched blank tracery and a cartouche below flanked by seated putti; then a frieze of blank ogee tracery; then a third, clock stage with clocks on each face with a circular moulding and heraldic griffins to the lower corners holding shields with the initials EW, and festoons and pediment above; flanking the clock faces are corbelled, octagonal, panelled, domed pinnacles, perhaps incomplete; the 4th, octagonal, lantern stage is in timber with deep bracketed eaves to domed octagonal roof topped by a dated weather-vane.

Listing NGR: TQ3071906195