Pub workers have launched a fundraising campaign to help keep Eltham's landmark church clock ticking after Greenwich Council withdrew its maintenance funding.
Staff at the White Hart pub in Eltham High Street are hosting quiz nights to raise money to maintain the St John the Baptist Church clock, which stopped working several months ago.
The council paid for the clock’s maintenance and repairs without legal responsibility to do so until 2013 when it stopped the funding due to "budget pressures".
Alex Mayers, 33, who co-runs the White Hart, told News Shopper: "It’s a very important part of the community.
"People look up at the clock when they’re walking down the High Street to find out the time.
"A lot of people are complaining it’s not working.
"We are all trying to sort it out. I don’t understand why the council have stopped the funding.
"From what I’ve heard, it cost them about £300 to get it changed to midnight."
The St John the Baptist Church clock
The clock’s last service and repair was undertaken in 2012 at a cost of £1,243.
Clock business Gillett & Johnston were employed by the council to service the clock and carry out the Spring and Autumn time changes.
A Greenwich Council spokesperson said: "Historically the council carried out maintenance of the clock, even though we had no legal responsibility for this part of the site.
"In response to budget pressures, a decision was taken in 2013 to cease carrying out this work - although we have continued to maintain the churchyard, which we have a responsibility to do.
"We are, however, intending to approach the church to see if there are any innovative ways in which the maintenance of the clock can be carried out in the future, without recourse to council tax resources."
Left to right: White Hart pub staff Simon Hinchley-Robson, Alex Mayers, Stacey Hinchley, David Hinchley-Robson, Josh Gardner-Nutley
The White Hart pub will next host a quiz night to raise money for the clock on November 18.
To book tickets, which cost £10 and include a carvery meal which can be enjoyed from 6pm, call 020 8850 1562.
The quiz begins at 8.30pm.
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