Ripon Grammar School clock restored after decades of silence

Caretaker Matthew Buller spent 140 hours restoring Ripon Grammar School’s 1889 clock after starting the project in November 2025.

He said: “It was relief, excitement and overwhelming joy.

“I was ecstatic at the results.

Caretaker Matthew Buller spent around 140 hours restoring Ripon Grammar School’s 1889 clock mechanism to full working order (Image: Supplied)

“To look back from where the project started, to where it is now is very rewarding – but I would be lying if I said I didn’t miss my free time at the weekends.”

His efforts have been widely praised by students and the wider community.

Sixth-former William Renton said: “It was amazing when the bells rang in front of me for the first time and I immediately knew that all of Matthew’s hard work had paid off.

Caretaker Matthew Buller spent around 140 hours restoring Ripon Grammar School’s 1889 clock mechanism to full working order (Image: Supplied)

“The clocktower is such a central and integral part of the Ripon Grammar grounds and it chiming again (with the correct time!) really brings a great sense of community to the school.

“Congratulations once again to Matthew – it’s truly amazing what he’s done.”

Student Iona O’Hare said: “The clocktower is iconic. Hearing it chime for the first time was incredibly moving and momentous.”

Ripon residents have also praised the clock, nicknamed “Clotherholme’s Big Ben” by some.

Caretaker Matthew Buller spent around 140 hours restoring Ripon Grammar School’s 1889 clock mechanism to full working order (Image: Supplied)

One member of the public wrote to Mr Buller, saying: “On behalf of all the folk who drive past the school, thank you.”

The restoration has also featured in newspapers and other media.

A TV production company has been documenting the project and is expected to release more details.

The historic clocktower at Ripon Grammar School in Ripon is chiming again (Image: Supplied)

Mr Buller joined Ripon Grammar School in October 2025 and took on the restoration as a “labour of love”, soon discovering its scale.

He said: “It’s immense the amount of time required when it comes to cleaning every single tooth on all the gears – thousands of them.

“The gears are only about 30 per cent of the total work.

“I ambitiously thought it would take a couple of hours to clean everything up.

“I then booked off two weeks of holiday for the other six days it took.”

Buller dismantled, cleaned and restored the mechanism and pulley system.

He submerged the brass components in ammonia before polishing them with fine steel wool.

Scaffolding was erected so the bells could be removed, cleaned and repaired.

A new 5mm steel cable now supports the 368kg of weights that power the clock.

During the restoration, Mr Buller found signs of earlier repairs, including three replacement gear teeth and a bespoke bracket for a damaged cast-iron barrel.

Buller now winds the clock daily but plans to switch to a six-day cycle.

Maintenance will include oiling key parts every six months and checking the wire, bell straps, pulleys and hooks.

W Potts & Sons of Leeds built the clock, which was designed by Sir Edmund Beckett, also known as Lord Grimthorpe, the man behind Big Ben’s mechanism.

The clock is believed to have last worked reliably 40 to 50 years ago.

Headmaster Jonathan Webb said: “Matthew has put an enormous amount of his personal time and expertise into this project.

“His extraordinary dedication has brought more than an old clock back to life.

“He has restored a living piece of RGS history and, with the clock and bells now working again, reconnected generations of our school community with a landmark that has been part of Ripon’s story for almost 140 years.”

A public appeal raised more than £2,100, beating its £1,500 target.

The extra money will fund a weight chute, sand cushion, lighting and ongoing maintenance.