'Labour of love' as Ripon man commits to restoring school's iconic clocktower from dust and decay

Matthew Buller, who joined Ripon Grammar School in October 2025, has taken on the intricate task as a labour of love, driven by a deep appreciation for the tower’s history and craftsmanship.

Such has been its quiet, slow decline, the tower had become thick with dust, decay and debris, while the bells had oxidised and the delicate workings had become saturated with oil.

The clock itself dates back to 1889 and was created by W Potts & Sons of Leeds, who were also responsible for making Ripon Cathedral’s clock in the last century.

It is last believed to have worked properly around 40 to 50 years ago.

Ripon-born Matthew says his aim is simple – to “get the clock ticking again” – and to restore the the clocktower, which he describes as a “fantastic piece of history, let alone architecture, with such exquisite engineering.”

“I look forward to bringing back the mechanical heartbeat of the school,” he said. "I feel passionately that it must be preserved.”

At the heart of the historic Ripon Grammar School structure is a flatbed cast iron clock base, powered by a traditional gravity system.

Above, bronze bells - ranging from 60kg to 90kg - mark the hours and quarter hours.

Steel cables run over iron pulleys to support three sets of cast iron weights, each weighing around 190kg.

Having studied science engineering at college, much of Matthew’s knowledge has come from independent research and hours spent studying the clock workings which is based on a gravity and hand-cranked fed system.

Undeterred by the complexity of the system, Matthew has worked through the school holidays, spending hours cleaning the space.

“Once you understand the type of clock mechanism, it’s almost like a particularly challenging jigsaw puzzle,” he said.

“Fortunately, it is all mostly intact, and I’ve always been mechanically minded and a lover of problem-solving.”

Matthew’s restoration programme is both ambitious and meticulous.

Plans include hiring a hydraulic lift to safely lower the bells so that rusted brackets can be replaced, alongside cleaning and restoring the hammer and suspension systems.

The project is expected to cost between £1,500 to £2,000 for materials and equipment, with further work to the clock faces potentially required in the future.

“The biggest challenge will be lowering and raising the bells,” Matthew said. "But the most time-consuming part will be cleaning the mechanism so it can run properly again.”

The school has praised Matthew’s dedication, describing the project as a remarkable example of initiative and care for the school’s heritage.

Headmaster Jonathan Webb said: “If successful, the restoration will not only revive a striking feature of the building but also reconnect the school community with a piece of its history that has stood silent for decades.”

To donate to the Clocktower Restoration Fund, visit: cafdonate.cafonline.org/30227#!/DonationDetails.