Historic clocks tell more than just time

THE EDITOR: Sir,

It was with a great deal of interest that I read Dave Lindo's article, 'Saving time', in The Gleaner of November 27. It seems that there are not enough Jamaicans who value our rich heritage, and it took an American, Phillip Martin, to bring an aspect of our culture to our attention.

Many of us over 50, especially from the rural areas, will remember that telling the time of day depended on several things. Not many people had clocks or watches, and radios were few and far between.

First of all, there was the sun. This had severe limitations because the sun shifts its position daily. Another method was the railway. Those of us who lived within a certain distance from the railway in Manchester could hear the steam whistle from the steam locomotives and we knew whether it was the 10, 11 or 2 o'clock train.

Quite often, farm labourers would ask, "Two o'clock train blow yet?" So if the train was late, it didn't matter. Then there was the faithful old cock which would sometimes be fooled by bright moonlight and crow too early. There was also 'first cock' and 'second cock'. There was also the 4 o'clock bush which, when in bloom, would open about four each evening.

Those of us who lived in the Devon area depended on three things. First was the tower clock on the Devon Missionary Church, which could qualify as heritage since it was installed about 1922 and was already second-hand when installed. There was the midday drum signal from Mother Jack's church, which was as accurate as Big Ben, and if it were Sunday, the bells of the Missionary and Moravian churches would ring at certain times.

Maintenance woes

Maintenance is a problem with almost everything in Jamaica, and town clocks are no exception. These clocks, apart from their obvious use, add a bit of charm to a village. I have seen scores of clocks in different parts of the world, and although some are centuries old, they still tell the time.

One of the few persons in recent times who kept many of the clocks in working order was the late Ronald Aitken, who lived at Bethany district. He was a genius at anything mechanical. He was a brilliant horologist, but mostly self-taught. His passing now means that that skill may have been lost to Jamaica forever.

I do hope that Mr Martin will be able to attract a few young persons to the art. If chimes could be added that play soft music at certain times like one in Hartford, Connecticut, it could bring some amount of tranquillity in a world of noise.

The Cross Roads clock is not old, but it was not long ago that it was restored and modern machinery installed. After all that effort at fund-raising and restoration, the modern electronic components do not work and money, as usual, is wasted.

I am sure that there are many persons who would love to see those clocks work again.

TREVOR SAMUELS

tasamuels@cwjamaica.com