Hitchin school’s clock tower restoration is right on time!

Wishere-Dacre headteacher Sarah Smith with (Back L-R) Jerome, Aisha, Davine and Bill (Front L-R) Lois and Harry and the newly refurbished clock faces (Image: Archant)

Wilshere-Dacre Junior Academy in Fishponds Road launched an appeal for funds in April last year to help restore the tower, as well as its three clock faces – installed for their 60th birthday in 1989 – after they stopped working.

The school’s fundraising project was so successful it raised more than £8,000 for the cause, with the sale of 2,000 ‘I Love Hitchin’ bags playing a big part.

Mum Faye Silver, part of the school’s PTA – Partners of Wilshere-Dacre Academy – came up with the idea of the bags.

Reflecting on the efforts of the school and group, known as POWA, Faye said: “We’re really excited about unveiling our newly-restored clock tower on Friday, July 15, from 6pm – which coincides with our International POWA Fest.

Wilshere-Dacre's new clock face from 1989 with then head David Guess. (Image: Archant)

“All are welcome. There will be a bar, bouncy castles, a barbecue, stalls offering all types of food including caribbean. There will also be live music from Alex Francis among others.

“We look forward to seeing as many people as possible attend.”

Head Sarah Smith added: “A huge thank you to Faye and POWA for their help in raising funds for the clock to be restored.

“It’s a tribute to the love people in the town have for Wilshere-Dacre they showed us such support.

The newly refurbished clock face for Wilshere-Dacre school (Image: Archant)

“But we still have no idea why there were only three faces on the original tower. If anyone knows please get in touch!”