CLOCK TOWER GARDENS

The Clock Tower Gardens are situated on Manchester Road and are a focal point of the area being the gateway to the Town of Stocksbridge.

The Clock Tower, now a familiar landmark, was built in 1923 as a war memorial to commemorate the local people who had given their lives in the 1914-18 War.

On the heaviest bell with which the hours are struck is cast the following quotation, “At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them”.  Over the door is a bronze tablet bearing the inscription “To the honour and everlasting memory of the soldiers, sailors and nurses of this District, who gave their lives for their King and Country in the Great War 1914-18.  Bronze plates on the Tower record the names of the 106 men and 1 woman to whose memory the Tower is erected.  A further 51 names were later added to commemorate those lost during the 2^nd World War.

The Tower itself was funded by public subscription on land granted by R.H.R. Rimington-Wilson of Broomhead Hall.  At a later date the surrounding field was purchased and now forms the memorial gardens, locally known as the Clock Tower Gardens.  The site is a major landscape historical feature within the valley and is seen by many visitors to the Town.

Stocksbridge Town Council have a partnership agreement with Sheffield City Council to maintain the Clock Tower Gardens.  Recently the partnership have developed a 5 year action plan for the maintenance and refurbishment of the Gardens.

Work is ongoing on improvements to the current maintenance contract and refurbishment work has commenced with the planting of a floral shield bearing the name of the Town.

(Historical information supplied by Stocksbridge and District History Society)