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Knitters raise funds to save town's beloved clock

Daisy BodkinGloucestershire
News imageSue Lane Four women sat next to each other smiling. The woman on the far left has a bright blue top and blue earrings, next to her is a woman wearing a pink knitted jumper and glasses. Next to that woman is a women wearing a blue top and beige fleece with glasses. On the far right is a woman wearing a purple jacket. They are sat inside with a sink behind them and milk, coffee and a kettle. Sue Lane
Closely Knit make and sell items to raise money for the town's church

A knitting group is fundraising to repair their local church's historic clock, which they say is "visited by people all over the world".

Members of Closely Knit, based in Stow‑on‑the‑Wold in Gloucestershire, are campaigning to raise £12,000 to repair the clock face on St Edward's Church tower, by selling their handmade items.

Group member Sue Lane, who started the campaign, said the group are "knitting furiously" to reach their goal.

She described the clock as a focal point in the town. "Everybody looks at it, whether you're a local or a visitor. It's there right in front of you," she added.

News imageMike Schoen An old church with a black and gold clock on the side. The sky is grey and cloudy. There is the side of a tree in the far left and the top of a lamp post. Mike Schoen
Town Mayor, Alison Tighe, said, "it will be wonderful to see the clock smartened up"
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The clock is nicknamed Little Ed as a play on London's Big Ben. It currently needs repairs to its face, autowinder and mechanism.

The knitting group has so far raised £7,000 by selling items such as bobble hats, egg cosies and scarves, supported by a £3,000 contribution from Stow Town Council.

Stow Town Mayor, Councillor Alison Tighe, said the clock has been "marking time in the town for decades."

"It will be wonderful to see the clock smartened up for our townsfolk and visitors," she added.

News imageSue Lane A smiling woman with glasses, a blue hat, green scarf and a grey cardigan. She is sat inside in front of a wooden kitchen area.Sue Lane
Sue Lane, a member of Closely Knit, is leading the fundraising campaign

Diane Close, another member of Closely Knit, is making a replica of Little Ed which will form part of a display tracking the fundraising progress.

"The clock is loved by local people and photographed by visitors from all around the world," she said.

Closely Knit is made up of women who are mostly retired who meet weekly in the church. Lane said the fundraising campaign gives the group a goal and "something to look forward to".

"We can actually make a difference. People say, 'Oh, I can't do much these days,' but you can," she added.

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