Derry's Clock (Mono) - 29 December 2019

There are some attractive parts of Plymouth. Derry's Cross is not one of them, its ugliness being typified by the ghastly Theatre Royal Car Park (left). Stranded somewhat incongruously amongst all this misjudged modernity is Derry's Clock. In 1862, then Mayor of Plymouth, William Derry commissioned the clock as a personal gift to the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) and Princess Alexandra and persuaded the local Board of Health (of which he was chairman) to pay for the base and tower. The structure was meant to incorporate public drinking fountains for the benefit of the local population but these, reportedly, never worked.

Historical photographs show how much this area has changed - literally beyond recognition, the one constant being the clock tower which, rather tackily, now has painted clock faces.

200_3_P1120099CE_M