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We are sometimes asked why the name ClockTowerWeb was chosen.
Well, now you can find out.
ClockTowerWeb
Ltd is based in Maidenhead, Berkshire, UK. Perhaps the second
most famous landmark in the town (after Brunel's railway bridge
over the Thames) is the clock tower which is situated just
outside the station in the town centre. This is the attractive
tower from which we take our name.
Known as the Jubilee Clock Tower, it was built as part of
the nation's celebrations for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee
in 1897; 60 years on the throne.
Building
started in 1897 using money from public donations. The foundation stone was laid
by the then mayor John Truscott on November 7 1899. The tower was designed by
local architect E J Shrewsbury who designed many of the town's churches including
St Peter's in Furze Platt plus the Technical Institute on Marlow Road. The clock
tower was built by Charles Cox & Son; Charles Cox was the mayor of the town on
several occasions.
The tower is around 14 m (45 feet) tall and has four illuminated
clock faces each facing the four compass points. A diamond
pattern within the clock faces reflects the reason for the
tower's existence. The clocks were donated by Mr G A Battcock
and made and foxed by Smith of Derby.
Red brick is used for most of the construction which is typical of the local
housing of that time. There is an elaborate pattern of stone work towards the
top, just below the bell tower. All the clocks and bells still function.
The photo top left shows how the tower was decorated during Christmas 2004.
There
is a plaque on the north facing side of the tower (see left)
which reads "Erected to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee
of her most gracious Majesty Queen Victoria who on June 20th
1897 completed her sixtieth year of a reign unparalleled for
progress in all that makes for the happiness of the human
race. God Save The Queen."
The
tower was officially opened by the High Steward's wife, Mrs
William Grenfell, on August 1 1900 (see right). Queen Victoria
died five months later in January 1901 and it is unlikely
that she ever saw the tower.
The south-facing clock face has a special feature added after
the tower's construction. The face has a black diamond pointing
down to the figure six. Black is chosen because Queen Victoria
wore predominantly black towards the end of her life in mourning
for her husband Prince Albert who died in 1861. The south
facing clock is chosen because this is the direction to Osbourne
House which was the Queen's favourite residence on the Isle
of Wight. And the diamond points to the six because she died
on 22 January 1901 at around half past six - so both hands
of the clock would have been pointing to this figure at this
time.

The clock tower is a great example of design - it has stood
the test of time and still looks great. It has seen horse
drawn carriages give way to motor vehicles and stream locomotives
give way to diesel engines on the railway.
That's why we chose the name for the company; we want ClockTowerWeb
to stand the test of time and not be just another fly-by-night
internet company.
So far so good; ClockTowerWeb Ltd was incorporated in June
2000 and we're still going strong.
We look forward to our Diamond Jubilee in June 2060!
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