‘It’s time Ammanford clock was repaired’ (From South Wales Guardian)

‘It’s time Ammanford clock was repaired’

12:40pm Monday 18th June 2012 in News

THE leader of Carmarthenshire council has vowed to leave no stone unturned in his bid to help restore Ammanford’s ‘Big Ben’ to its former glory.

Garnant’s Kevin Madge has already urged local authority officers to do everything in their power to fund the restoration of the clock tower at Ammanford’s All Saints Church.

“I really want to see the All Saints clock repaired and restored,” said Cllr Madge.

“The clock is the focal point of the town and you can see it from all four corners of the town.

“The All Saints clock tower is our equivalent of Big Ben – and I find it very hard to believe that the people of London would allowsuch an iconic building in their city to fall into disrepair.

“I have spoken to council officers and urged them to do their utmost to find the funds necessary to pay for the clock to be put back to full working order.”

The Grade II-listed All Saints Church is already undergoing extensive repairs after safety issues were raised regarding the building earlier this year and Cllr Madge’s comments were welcomed by members of the church restoration committee.

Chairman Peter Pemberton said: “I am absolutely delighted that the All Saints restoration project has received the backing of council leader Kevin Madge and our local councillor Colin Evans.

“Cllr Madge has already arranged meetings with the relevant officers at County Hall and we are optimistic that the clock will be working again within the next few weeks, thanks in no small part to the efforts of Maurice Clarke of CR Clarke in Ammanford.”