Truro School Clock Tower

TRURO SCHOOL

Clock Tower

On Friday 27 May 1938, the School was presented with a ‘magnificent tower clock’ by the Wickett family in a ceremony held in the School Chapel.

The clock was given by Mrs Wickett in memory of her late husband, Tom Wickett, a former pupil from 1884 to 1888, a governor of the school from 1900 to 1935 and chairman of the Old Boys’ Association in 1926. It was presented by his son, Eustace Wickett (TS 1910-14), who pointed out that it was the idea of his mother ‘who felt she would like to mark the long association of her husband and other members of his family with the school’. The gift was acknowledged by former Headmaster Mr H. W. Vinter (TS 1883-1921) and the current Headmaster Dr E. H. Magson (TS 1921-46). days and the annual athletic sports. [He] was the splendid example of an all-round boy at the School, who tried to do his best, not only for the School, but for those with whom he was associated.” The clock was said to be a useful reminder of “Mr Tom Wickett, who so loyally served the School in every way.”

Over the years, the clock tower has been an iconic symbol of Truro School. The electrically driven clock was designed to keep the correct time without the need for winding; however, over time it has stopped.

This summer, Richard Lamboll (TS Estates Manager) and the Estates Team began work to lovingly restore the clock to its former glory and working condition. Repairs to the tower have been extensive and have included maintenance work to the exterior of the building, timber repairs, painting and roof tile repairs.

Access to the clock has been improved, and new hands have been fitted. The mechanism has also been updated to a new GPS-controlled system, which will update when the clocks change. The clock can now be seen at night through the new addition of a back-light.

Tom Wickett was the second of four generations associated with the School. His father had been a governor, Tom himself was one of five brothers who were pupils at the School, and later his son Eustace, and grandson Tony Wickett (TS 1946-50), were also Truro School pupils. Tom Wickett’s career in mining led him abroad, including to South Africa and Brazil, yet he remained strongly associated with the School and was a keen supporter, generously contributing to both the War Memorial Fund and a university scholarship. “He was always keen that Truro School should be on top, and was a regular attendant on speech