Although the main numerals have clearly been re-painted, all of the original lampblack on the dial has long gone. However, one day the lighting conditions enabled me to spot traces of some writing still visible as raised, clear lacquer across the centre of the dial. This first picture shows my attempt to transcribe what I could make out.

Apart from confirming that the (non-working) lower hand was a calendar dial, the real excitement was seeing the maker's name: J Bancroft, Scarbrough. Suitably inspired, I addressed a postcard to J. Bancroft, Scarborough, and penned the following message:

The family clock has come to me
With worn and weathered face.
By lucky chance and tricks of light
Methinks I now have traced
The words "J. Bancroft, Scarborough"
And though the chance is rare,
I can't help wondering, could it be,
Perchance, you are still there?

Sadly, the Post Office could find no Bancroft to deliver my card to so it found its way, via the local newspaper offices, to the Rotunda Museum, from where the Director of Tourism and Amenities was kind enough to reply, saying that the museum had a clock dated 1829 by a W. F. Bancroft, and advising me that there was a John Bancroft mentioned in a book by Brian Loomes. We duly ordered this book "Yorkshire Clockmakers" and found the following entry:

Bancroft, John, Scarborough c. 1780 - 1807
Clock and watchmaker, working 1807. Painted dial longase clock recorded signed "J. Bancroft, Scarborough", circa 1780

The book also contained two photographs of the 1780 clock. Follow the link in the left hand column for a detailed comparison of the two J. Bancroft clocks.

On the basis of the information I provided, Brian Loomes estimated the date of our clock at around 1805 - 1810.

Links to other pages about our Bancroft clock:

Introduction

The Clock as an Heirloom

Researching our Bancroft Clock

Comparison with the Loomes clock

When we had our clock serviced in 1981, the repairer, L. H. Greenman of Sway in Hampshire, noted some marks on the movement from earlier repairers. The earliest of these reads "W Westmoreland 30/8/14". There is a later mark (name hard to decipher) with a date of 5/10/78 and so it is clear that these are both 19th century rather than 20th century dates. Mr. Greenman also commented on the unusual design of the fly brake, and that he had found the need to modify it.

25 years later, the clock was still running well but I took pity on it and arranged to have it serviced again. This time I managed to take a few photographs during the process. The first picture shows the fly brake as it was removed from the clock. The brass strap soldered across the middle is Mr. Greenman's modification, the damping having originally been provided by the brass 'bow' at the near end.

The second photo shows the original brass bow mechanism now restored. However, because the effectiveness of this unusual design is a bit of an unknown quantity, the center strap has been de-tensioned, but left in place for the moment. If the bow tensioner proves reliable, the intention is to remove the extra strap completely at a later date.

The photographs will enlarge.