Why the name?
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; sixty 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 7 November 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 Diamond Jubilee. 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 on the left shows how the tower was decorated during Christmas 2004. The tower now has changing-colour LED lighting to decorate it at night.
Dedication
There is a plaque on the north facing side of the tower 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 1 August 1900 (see right).
Queen Victoria died five months later in January 1901. Sadly, it is unlikely that she ever saw the tower.
Black diamonds
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 Osborne 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.
Built to last
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 be solid, dependable and stand the test of time.
So far so good; ClockTowerWeb Ltd was incorporated in June 2000 and we're still going strong in 2025.
We look forward to our Diamond Jubilee in June 2060!
Find out more
Read about what we do.
Credits
BBC Berkshire Restoration - Jubilee Clock Tower web page (now disappeared)
Photo of opening of tower in 1900 from book "Yesterday's Town: Maidenhead" by Tom Middleton.
Other photos are copyright © Paul Baker.