Timely help for village's old clock... (From Free Press Series)

Timely help for village's old clock...

A LOCAL FIRM has stepped in with an offer of help to repair a beleaguered village clock after reading of its plight in the Free Press.

Residents in Talywain have lamented the loss of a working timepiece, but a focus group were determined to get the clock restored to its former glory.

The Victoria Village, Abersychan and Talywaun focus group came to the Free Press three weeks ago in a bid to raise the profile of the clock and attract fundraising. The group believe that the clock was of great importance to past Talywain residents and its repair would give the area a boost.

Local firm MJ Precision engineers is based at the industrial estate in Pontnewynydd and they are now in talks with the focus group to discuss the future of the clock.

A spokesman for MJ Precision said: "We read about the clock in the Free Press and wanted to offer our services as we have just the right kind of expertise for this kind of project."

Originally the clock was located in Glansychan Park but was damaged by vandals and brought into Talywain centre to become a focus for the community. Since it was brought to its Church Road site in Talywain it has rarely worked.

Community councillors and the focus group members are excited by the offer of help and are pleased that the clock could be repaired and brought back to life by a local firm.

A representative from the company has pledged to examine the clock and report back with a number of options for its restoration. Focus Group member Tony Harper said: "It all looks very promising at the moment and work could start shortly.

"We have received the backing of community councillors and the focus group and are now looking forward to getting the clock up and running again."