Old Oily

From the BBC programme The Repair Shop, broadcast on the 12th of May, we realised that we could visit the Museum of Timekeeping at Upton Hall on our way between our two holiday locations. This enabled us to see the giant clock featured on the programme and it's two companions.

Made entirely of wood, Old Oily was designed and built by Leicestershire cabinetmaker Ron Woodford for the Dallas Oil Symposium of 1976.
After the symposium it was returned to the Woodfords but remained in the packing case in their barns for 45 years, until featured on the television. The design includes many references to the oil industry, including drilling heads, a 'nodding donkey' pump and barrels.

The other large clock made by Woodford does not keep good time due to the different woods used, which have differing response to humidity. All three clocks have been loaned to the museum by the family.

Of course, these are only a fraction of the museum exhibits, which include examples of the development of timepieces and also of the Speaking Clock. My only complaint is that the only sundials on display were of cigarette cards (the armillary outside purely sculptural).

And so we arrived at our new home for the week from which we shall visit friends and family.