The Clock at St Margaret's Church Must Not Be Silenced
Following reports in the Sentinel today that Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council’s Environmental Health team has ordered the clock at St Margaret’s to be silenced, I have written to the Leader of the Borough Council seeking answers.
This clock has chimed for 137 years. It’s part of Wolstanton’s history and heritage, and we must do all we can to protect it.
Read the full text of the letter
Dear Leader,
I hope that this finds you well.
Over the last few hours, I have received a number of representations from local people in Wolstanton, and across Newcastle-under-Lyme, about the very concerning reports in the Sentinel regarding the chimes from the clock at St Margaret’s Church in Wolstanton.
You will, I hope, have seen the statement from the St Margaret’s Parochial Council that says that the Environmental Health team at Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council have ‘instructed’ that ‘the clock is silenced’ following a singular complaint made by a local resident.
The Council, I know, receives many representations from residents who see concerns from their own perspectives and experiences, and everyone has a right to be listened to and respected. But, Leader, let me say to you, proportionality and common sense is needed now and always.
As the Sentinel noted in their article, the clock at St Margaret’s Wolstanton has been chiming since 6pm on Monday 30th September 1889, in the fifty second year of the reign of Her Late Majesty Queen Victoria. In other words, 137 years ago, that is how far this Wolstanton story goes back.
That legacy of our chiming clock is acknowledged continuously with the exception of the two world wars that many residents gathered to remember at the Wolstanton War Memorial, in the shadows of St Margaret’s Church, on Remembrance Sunday – just a few days ago.
I would be grateful if you could confirm the following:
When were you informed that this instruction had been issued to St Margaret’s Parochial Council?
What engagement has Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council had with the singular resident who raised the complaint that led to the instruction to silence the clock being issued?
What process took place internally that led to this instruction being issued?
What steps will you take, as Leader, to acknowledge and address the many people who have raised their concerns at the heavy-handed nature of the instruction issued?
Can you confirm that you will take responsibility for finding a way resolution to this situation that reflects our history and customs?
What steps will you take to ensure that ‘instructions’ like this are not issued by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council unless in the most serious circumstance, when required to by the law or until all other avenues have been exhausted?
What steps have been taken by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council to mitigate any impacts on the resident concerned? Are they an Aspire tenant, and could steps be taken to improve support?
St Margaret’s Church is an important landmark in this part of Newcastle-under-Lyme. It is the resting place of many Commonwealth War Graves to many local people who lived in Wolstanton and across Newcastle-under-Lyme. It is a place for Christians to pray, give thanks and observe their faith and for those of no faith, and other faiths, to come together in peace and respect.
I will share this letter with St Margaret’s Parochial Council. I would also like to extend an invitation to you, the Borough Councillors who represent Wolstanton, our county councillor – although she hasn’t been seen in many, many months – and St Margaret’s Parochial Council, to meet so we can get this sorted.
The clock at St Margaret’s Church must not be silenced and I urge you to do all you can to make sure that is so. As Newcastle-under-Lyme’s Member of Parliament, I stand ready to give you whatever support you and Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council need to find a resolution to this very concerning situation.
Yours Sincerely,
Adam Jogee MP
Member of Parliament for Newcastle-under-Lyme
