Old Timer

Posted Wed, 25/11/2009 - 10:30

Old Joe is out of sync Old Joe, the clock which literally towers over the University of Birmingham, has been rather ill lately.

The tower, which is the tallest free standing clock tower in the world was named after arguably Birmingham's most successful political export ever, Joseph Chamberlain, who was also one of the founders of the University.

Today, at 8.15am it quite happily beamed out 9.35 to all those within about a square mile who cared to look up. And this isn't the first time in recent weeks.

It strikes me that a clock that is unreliable is at best as good as no clock at all, if one chooses to ignore it in the knowledge that it is indeed unreliable. But at worst, without this knowledge, the unreliable clock will cause problems: missed trains, late lectures etc.

But this isn't your watch, this is the most prominent landmark in South Birmingham; the University should sort it out.

Comments

When I was at Birmingham Uni (95-98) I stopped wearing a watch as did a number of people I knew. It just wasn't necessary. If Old Joe had died it would have been chaos, I tell you. But then we didn't have mobile communication devices in our pockets back then...

by Pete Ashton - 25 Nov 2009 - 14:16

Hello all,

As an employee of the Univeristy I would like to say to all that the temporary stopping of the clock is due to ongoing repair works. They are, I believe, forced stoppages in order to continue repairs to the internal lift mechanism.

It did however make me panic this morning when I thought I was nearly an hour late for work! I didn't realise how much I relied on the clock until workmen stopped the bells from chiming at the end of the summer but am delighted they are now singing away (literally as I type).

Hopefully the work will be over soon and the city of Birmingham will once again have it's lovely Old Joe back in perfect working order.

Best wishes.

by Anon - 25 Nov 2009 - 16:47

Hi and thanks Anon for letting us know!

I have to admit that like Pete Ashton, I hardly ever wear a watch any more, and every time I pull my phone out of my pocket to check the time - then realise that Old Joe is smiling down on me - I feel rather daft.

Let's hope it's all back to normal very soon.

by Pete Lewis - 25 Nov 2009 - 16:56

Maybe they are fixing the lift to allow trips to the top? I'd pay good moolah to survey Edgbaston from up there. A panoramic webcam would be a cheap and easy marketing device meanwhile.

Complimentry pendantry: have you mixed up Joe Chamberlain with his son, Neville?

by Si - 26 Nov 2009 - 00:13

You're completely right Pete. Thoughout my university life I didn't wear a watch and this has continued into my professional life here - there's no need when I work close to the old master! It really does completely throw my day when its out though.

It would be fantastic to see Birmingham from the top wouldn't it. Like you Si I'd pay to go up there!

by Anon - 26 Nov 2009 - 10:14

Absolutely. I heard that people used to be able to go up there 15 years ago or so, but there were problems with suicides. I'd like it to be opened up again, or as Si says, at least given a webcam!

And Si, Joe Chamberlain wasn't Prime Minister, but arguably was more politically successful than his son, Neville, as he held a great deal of influence in the government around the turn of the 20th century - perhaps a bit of a Peter Mandelson figure! There's actually quite a good Wikipedia page about him.

by Pete Lewis - 26 Nov 2009 - 11:31

I use the clock throughout the day as I can see it from my desk and it's seemed reliable to me.They are working inside it though at the moment so I guess they needed to stop it temporarily. Here's a gratuitous link to a timelapse I took of it from my desk the other morning - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIpbE0zqiRs

by Billy - 26 Nov 2009 - 15:22

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