Time on their hands (From Free Press Series)

Time on their hands

A CLOCK that hasn't chimed for years made Talywain the village where time stood still - but residents are determined to hear the clock tick again.

A group of residents have vowed to restore the clock and improve the area.

They formed the Victoria Village, Abersychan and Talywaun (VAT) focus group and aim to renovate various historic and important sites.

VAT member Tony Harper said: "About four or five years ago Joan Targett and others decided that they would like to improve the area and set up a focus group to take on relatively small projects, which would be achievable by a small group."

The first of the projects agreed upon was the clock, which was bought by the villagers to commemorate a doctor from Abersychan.

In 1940 popular doctor James McQuillan, who had come from Belfast, was tragically killed and people were so moved by his passing that they collected donations and bought a clock in his honour.

Originally put up in Glansychan Park, the clock now proudly stands in Church Road but residents feel it would give the area a boost to see the clock working again.

The group are embarking on a fundraising mission to restore the clock and even hope to attract some grant money.

Mr Harper said: "We will do whatever we can and at the end of it we hope to have fully repaired the clock."

It is a tribute to something past Talywain residents evidently felt very strongly about and VAT also plan to work on restoring other historic and important features from their history. The group meets once a month.

Now, 64 years after Doctor Anthony McQuillan unveiled the clock, residents are hoping to ensure time doesn't pass it by and it is returned to its former glory.