Grandfather clock chimes to mark a starring role for Doncaster School for the Deaf on The Repair Shop on the Road

Doncaster School for the Deaf took centre stage on BBC One show The Repair Shop on the Road this week thanks to a 19^th century grandfather clock.
 
The broken grandfather clock had been sitting dormant in the school, which was established in 1829, for as long as anyone can remember. But thanks to show expert, horologist, Steve Fletcher, it has been lovingly restored to its former glory.
 
The Repair Shop on the Road, a spin off to The Repair Shop, which sees the team leave the ‘barn’ and strike out across the UK in search of those caring for historical treasures.
 
The school’s moment in the spotlight came in episode four of the show’s second season, which screened on BBC One at 3.45pm on Thursday, March 12.
 
Simon Tacey is a former pupil of Doncaster School for the Deaf and now works as a Work Coach/Instructor for Aspire To Be specialist employability service, which like the school, falls under the management of Doncaster Deaf Trust (DDT).
 
Simon said: “The grandfather clock was made by renowned Sheffield jeweller and clock maker Phillip Bright. We found archive material which suggests Mr and Mrs Bright were big supporters of the school. The clock would have been very valuable, and there is no record in the school accounts for payment for the clock. We believe it was donated between 1833 and 1841 to help children get to class on time. It played a central role in school life as it was used daily by teachers and children alike and was used to teach children how to tell the time.
 
“It is one of the oldest objects owned by the Trust. We don’t have many old objects from Eastfield House (the original school building), because when World War II broke out, the army took over Eastfield House including its school hall, gym and swimming pool. They kept possession of the building and its contents until 1948.”
 
The years hadn’t been kind to the grandfather clock. Its face was worn and cracked, and there were numerous chips and dents to the trunk and pendulum door. The lock to the main cabinet of the clock was broken and there was damage to the main trunk of the clock from previous attempts to force the door open.
 
Simon added: “I remember the clock being in the room which was used for big meetings. As a little boy I wasn't very naughty, so I didn't have to meet with the headmaster very often, but I know it was always in his office!”
 
Doncaster School for the Deaf has made a huge contribution to education for deaf people, and in preparing deaf children to integrate into hearing society.
 
Becca Lynch, fundraising officer for DDT who helped contact the show about the clock, said: “It was so exciting for everyone involved with the Trust to see the school feature on national TV. We recently celebrated our 195^th anniversary, and we are planning to open the UK’s first ever Deaf Education and Exhibition Centre.
 
“We want the clock to be the centrepiece, where visitors will be welcomed by the clock and its exquisite time keeping. It is wonderful to see the clock restored to its former glory, as it was such an integral part of school life in its early years.”
 
If you missed the school’s appearance on The Repair Shop on the Road, you can catch up on the BBC iPlayer at www.bbc.co.uk
 
DDT manages a range of services in addition to Doncaster School for the Deaf, including Little Learners Day Nursery, Dickson House Children’s Home, Communication Specialist College Doncaster, and Aspire to Be Employability Services.
 
For further information about Doncaster Deaf Trust, visit www.deaf-trust.co.uk