From Cottingham Parochial Church Council
22 August 2025
Dear resident,
We would like to provide you with an update on the church clock.
Clock repairs
Since the clock was repaired and restarted on 8 June, we’ve had some minor teething problems with the chiming mechanism, that are perhaps only to be expected when we are dealing with modern additions to an intricate machine that is almost 150 years old. Our clock contractor has been out to make some adjustments, and the clock is now chiming consistently on the hour. The chime has also been successfully reset after bell ringing has taken place at the church.
Clock survey
Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond to our survey on the church clock.
We received 168 valid responses, and we’re pleased to say that the overwhelming majority (94%) say they enjoy and value the clock chiming – for the sense of community it instils, forming part of the soundscape of an English country village, evoking memories of simpler times and providing a link to the village’s traditions and heritage. Villagers find the clock chimes calming, comforting, relaxing, reassuring, joyful, uplifting and grounding.
The majority of survey respondents – 86.9% overall and 73% of those living closest to the church (in Church Street, Water Lane and Corby Road) – wish to see the clock continue to chime from 7am-11pm, or to be increased to 24 hours.
However, a small number of respondents (13%) say they find the clock chimes disturbing, or feel that starting at 7am and ending at 11pm is excessive, especially for families with young children.
While this is very much a minority view, in the interests of being a good neighbour and out of empathy for those living closest to the church, the Parochial Church Council (PCC) has decided to reduce the clock chiming hours to 8am to 10pm until further notice. This change will take place on 26/27 August.
We appreciate that this will not please everyone. However, we hope that all villagers will accept this compromise position, which has been reached after careful consideration by the PCC and with the genuine aim of being fair to all members of our community.
You can read the full survey report here.
As always, if you would like any further information with regard to this, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the PCC as detailed below.
Yours sincerely,
Cottingham Parochial Church Council
Treasurer: Mrs A. Sturman. email pandasturman@btinternet.com
Church Warden: Mrs. K. Tilley, email randktilley@outlook.com
Secretary: Mrs A Preston-Jones. email p.j55@btinternet.com