Guildhall Greenwich Time Ball

In 2016 Hull City Council was successful in receiving initial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the restoration of the Guildhall Greenwich Time Ball.

This first-round pass means that the project has met HLF criteria for funding and has the potential to deliver high-quality benefits and value for Lottery money.

Alongside this successful bid, the council has also been granted £47,000 from the National Lottery player development fund to help progress plans to apply for a full grant.

The grant would not only restore the Time Ball to full working order, but also renovate the tower and provide good access and learning opportunities for residents.

The project will prove a fitting contribution to the City Plan ambition to make Hull a world-class visitor destination by enhancing its unique heritage and culture.

If a Round 2 bid is successful, the project will not only involve a programme of physical restoration works, but will also develop a programme of activity and engagement, collecting memories, skills and knowledge from the current Clock Custodian through oral history and an appeal for public memories associated with the Guildhall Time Ball. In addition to this, there is the possibility for an apprenticeship opportunity for a young person to learn the Clock Custodian’s role through shadowing & skill sharing.

Interpretation

Interpretation is a key part of our engagement plan. As the interior of the clock tower will not be permanently open to the public and the exterior is so high up, we will employ a range of interpretation methods to share the heritage and associated stories and histories. This ranges from exhibitions and displays, online content giving virtual access, digital and physical models and printed materials.

Interpretation stations in sight of the Time Ball along the Hull and Humber will also be explored, allowing the history of the Time Ball to be placed into its context as a physical indication of the time. Digital modelling will be produced through our partnerships. These may form part of the exhibition displays or be available through online or virtual reality platforms.

Public Programming

The project will share the heritage through public tours, talks and events, led by both volunteers and experts in the field. Science-focussed family activities taking inspiration from the Time Ball will be included in Hull Museums events programming delivered in more accessible museum venues with a view of the tower. Other local heritage groups will be encouraged to include the Time Ball within their public offer.

Schools and Learning Projects

The project will work with local schools to develop and pilot learning programmes and resources utilising the science, technology, maths and engineering behind the Time Ball and clock. For primary schools, this will link to the new Hull Curriculum initiative that places Hull’s culture and heritage at the heart of children’s learning. The project will forge links with secondary schools such as Hull’s Trinity House Academy (a city centre-based specialist nautical school) to develop Science and history focused-activities and resources.

This project also links into their maritime studies module to explore the history of navigation. During the restoration of the tower, the chance to visit and learn about heritage building conservation will be offered to local construction students.