The Clock Court Bell Rings Once More

a { text-decoration: none; color: #464feb; } tr th, tr td { border: 1px solid #e6e6e6; } tr th { background-color: #f5f5f5; }

A cherished piece of Ashfold's history has been brought back to life, with the successful restoration of the iconic Clock Court clock and bell tower.

Thanks to the generous support of Mrs Anne Kingsley and the Graves family, given in memory of former Headmaster Crispian Graves and his wife Elizabeth, this much-loved landmark has undergone a comprehensive restoration, ensuring it can be enjoyed by future generations of Ashfold pupils, families and Old Ashfoldians alike.

The project has included the refurbishment of the clock mechanism, the restoration and repainting of the clock face, repairs to the bell tower and weather vane, and careful work to preserve the character and heritage of one of the school's most recognisable features.

Perhaps most excitingly of all, the Clock Court Bell is now chiming on the hour once again, restoring a familiar sound that once formed part of daily life at Ashfold. For many years, the bell stood silent, and while we know it was still ringing during the 1960s, no one is quite certain when its voice was lost.

The return of the hourly chime is more than a restoration of a building feature; it is the revival of a tradition that connects today's pupils with the generations who came before them. As the bell sounds across the school once more, it serves as a reminder of Ashfold's rich history and the many thousands of children who have passed through Clock Court over the years.

The restoration reflects Ashfold's commitment to preserving its heritage while ensuring that important landmarks remain a living part of school life. From the striking clock face to the weather vane that once again stands proudly above the tower, every element has been carefully restored with respect for its historical significance.

We are enormously grateful to Mrs Kingsley and the Graves family for their generosity and vision in making this project possible. Their support has safeguarded an important part of Ashfold's story and allowed a treasured feature of the school to take its rightful place at the heart of the community once more.