Lichfield Friary Clock Tower

Historic England official listing says: Clock tower. 1863, moved to present site 1928. By Joseph Potter Jnr. Ashlar with swept slate roof. 4-stage tower with pyramidal roof. Norman style. Lowest stage has cornice with zig-zag and weathering over; east face has round-headed entrance of one order with zig-zag to arch and enriched tympanum, door with enriched strap hinges; plaque above records history of the Crucifix conduit, 1201-1863; to south a bronze plaque recording gift of the Friary estate to the City Council; to west a plaque recording the removal of the tower from its original site; to north a quatrefoil panel recording foundation of the conduit with flanking round-headed niches formerly with drinking fountains, that to left with scalloped bowl, that to right shallower, bowl gone, 2 round-headed lights above with grilles. 2nd stage has cornice with weathering over; to 3 faces a 3-light blind window with colonnettes, enriched arches and glazed slits; similar shorter 5-light window above with zig-zag sill band and 2 slits; to west face 3 single-chamfered lights. 3rd stage has round clock face to each face. Top stage has nook shafts and corbel table, bell-opening of 4 lights with lourvres to each face. Roof with finial. The clock tower was built at the corner of The Friary and Bird Street on the site of the Crucifix Conduit, which was built for the city c1201 by the Guild of SS Mary and John the Baptist, whose assets were transferred in 1545 to the Conduits Lands Trust, who built the tower over the redundant conduit. The tower was dismantled and rebuilt on its present site when The Friary was made. The clock tower is a notable landmark in the city. (Buildings of England: Pevsner N: Staffordshire: London: 1974-: P.192; Laithwaite P: The History of the Conduit Lands Trust 1546-1946: Lichfield: 1947-: P.19, 51; Clayton H: Cathedral City: Lichfield: 1977-: P.105-7).
Apr 14th, 2022

Friary clock tower is a grade 2 listed structure and was erected in 1863, originally over the ancient crucifix conduit at the junction of Bird St and Bore St some 400 meters east of its current position, it was relocated in the late 1920's early 1930's due to congestion at the junction since the motor car was invented, originally the clock tower was built with only three clock faces as the west face looked upon only one property, however due to complaints from the tenant a fourth face was added.
Feb 2nd, 2022

Jun 18th, 2019

Dec 9th, 2017