Jenman House clock being repaired
A collaborative effort between University of Guyana lecturers and Environmental Engineering Solutions (EES), a private consultancy business, is underway to restore the clock located on the Protected Areas Trust (PAT) building, at the entrance of the Botanical Gardens.
Lecturers Isidro Ubaldo Espinosa of the Mechanical Engineering Department, Faculty of Technology and Arturo Montes de Oca Baltazares of the Mathematics Department, Faculty of Natural Sciences, were photographed on Sunday conducting works on the structure.
According to Espinosa, they embarked on the project a few weeks ago and works are expected to be completed as early as today or by this weekend at the latest.
The lecturer stated that while UG’s Mechanical Engineering Department is providing technical assistance, EES is providing support in the form of special tools for analysis as well as research.
The intention, Espinosa said, is to “replicate the original clock brand to preserve the historic and cultural value.” The brand, JW Benson Limited, manufactured pieces until the bombing of its factory during World War 1. Their trade, however, lasted from 1847 to 1973, as they continued as retailers even after they ceased manufacturing their own timepieces.
Meanwhile, PAT said that the rehabilitation of the clock is being funded by a private donor.
PAT is a trust fund set up to provide financing for the management of protected areas. Jenman House is a heritage building and is a listed building with the National Trust.