Tuesday 16 November 2010

The Town where time stands still !



When will they get that clock fixed?

Our Town Council never fails us . . . again.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

According to the evil mail the clock is owned by south lakeland council and sits in a building owned by the bank. The Town Council has nothing to do with it but did find a man to repair the clock, and offered to pay for it but the bank and the south lakeland turned them down on 'elf and safety grounds, so the Town council hasn't failed us really have they? and you aren't being very fair.

Geoff Dellow said...

I agree that I'm being a bit harsh but at the same time I believe some of what I imply makes sense.

I wonder how many people have faith in our Town Council to get things done.

I can quote examples of things that I have been able to do as a 'powerless individual' which our councillors at all levels of local government were not able to achieve.

It's a matter of being determined and persistent, qualities that I don't find for the most part in our councillors. They do the best they can I admit.

In the case of the clock, the town council has five SLDC councillors as members and I can think of eleven district and county councillors who are very pro Ulverston - they could have more if they supported the councillors of other towns.

Our town clock is often used (along with Hoad)as a symbol of the town and can be seen so widely around the town. It therefore acts in a way as the face of Ulverston so can be seen as being a significant asset.

You'd have thought that in a matter as important as this that they would have the clout to get a clock sorted in a matter of minutes.

Sadly they don't.

Why not?

Anonymous said...

Your not being harsh your being stupid and completely unfair. The town council doesn't own the clock, southlakeland council does.Town council offered to organise a free repair and were refused. What more could they do? As you have such a high opinion of yourself you get the bank and sldc to sort it out.

Gladys said...

Is this post about really about the clock or are you making a case so as to rant at the council?
That bank is keen on health and safety, even to the inconvenience of their customers. (Another matter) But maybe they have a reason?
I always believe in looking at things from all angles in order to reach conclusions.

Geoff Dellow said...

I'll have a shot at it.

If I succeed within a week, will I earn some brownie points.

Will you campaign on my behalf?

(Cllr Colin Hodgson set me a similar challenge and I had the answer within two hours)

Anonymous said...

Go for it get the clock ticking
" Ding dong merrily on high"
Make a log of actions and responces it would make interesting reading
" The time starts now "
JAK

Geoff Dellow said...

Step 1.

A visit to Lloyd's Bank this morning reveals a very sympathetic Bank Manager.

"I keep ringing the SLDC. They send someone along."

"So they're still working on the problem"

"Yes,he comes and asks for the keys. He came and made some adjustments the other day"

"That's good to hear!"

"Can I have the number of the guy you rung?"

"I didn't make a note of it but just ring and ask for the person who deals with the Ulverston, Bank Clock"

Now to step 2.

Geoff Dellow said...

Step 2.

Ring 0845 050 4434

After the " you are being held in a queue malarkey . . .

Your position in the queue is number . . . one.

Tinkle tinkle of soothing music ...

"Thank you for holding"


. . . .

"Thank you for holding"


. . . .

"How can I help"

"I'm concerned about the Ulverston Bank Clock"

"Unfortunately, Andrew Mason, the person concerned with this, is away on a course"

"Aye, aye". I say to myself.

"I'm aware that a firm called - Potts of Derby - is dealing with this."

I explain my concern and he sympathises.

"I take your point and I'll check into the situation and give you a call back"

"Thanks"

I'm Geoff Dellow . . . . .

"And your name?" sounded like Manx Marks but my hearing isn't too good!

Anonymous said...

Andrew Mason is on a TIME management course and he thinks the clock is an old one.

Geoff Dellow said...

Sounds right.

Do we have a mole in the hole?

It's amazing what people read this blog!

Geoff Dellow said...

Step 3.

From the SLDC:

"Well hopefully, Geoff, by Monday it will be working again!"

More later about the nitty-gritty of what's happening.

I must say that it's reassuring when you get to the source of the information and are told the exact situation.

Why can't there be a better way of keeping the public informed so that we remain sympathetic?

Couldn't a town councillor do this via their web site?

Anonymous said...

Geoff
I do hope you are not on the "roudabout" left going round and round going nowhere till you give in.
Thats the normal tactics.
I use the tactics of warning them that coversations are being recorded due to traing purposes.
And do record sometimes !
You can hear the armchair move as they sit up.
JAK

Geoff Dellow said...

Time will tell.

Literally.

look at the Bank Clock at 17:00 on Monday.

What does it say?

Can we cry "Hooray, Thanks Geoff", ?

Geoff Dellow said...

Step 3 detail.

The Guy from Smiths who apparently bought up Potts of Derby came last Monday and thought he'd fixed the clock. He fitted a new circuit board and totally rewired a new route from the clock to the mains supply as they couldn't trace where the original wiring that got severed, was.

The clock ran for a few hours but then there was a disruption in the electricity supply.

A senior electrician is coming on Monday to get it sorted out, once and for all. He hopes.

Sounds promissing!

It might have happened without my intervention. But showing concern, how much our clock means to us and telling them that I was willing to pay for getting the clock running if that would help certainly got a favorable reaction.

Perhaps workers all over enjoy the concerned and appreciative tender touch.

I'm a firm believer in avoiding officious instructions and getting the workers feeling that we appreciate their work.

Now why aren't I like this with Councillors?

Possibly because they won't let you near them as they see themselves as too self-important.

Not sure.