Pause for a moment here before the Hanwell Clocktower. This monument has quite a story. It is more than just a timepiece. It is a symbol of community pride and resilience.
The Hanwell Clocktower was unveiled on May 7 1937. This was part of Ealing’s celebration of King George VI’s coronation. Alderman Alfred Bradford did the honors. He was chairman of the Highways Committee. Mayor Frederick Woodward was also present. Members of the Hanwell Chamber of Commerce attended. A large crowd of the public joined too.
Mayor Woodward said something special that day. He called Hanwell one of London’s finest gateways. He thought the clock was fitting for the location. Timothy King was a Hanwell councillor. He first suggested the idea. He fought for it in the Highways Committee. Alderman Bradford was proud of King’s work. The Mayor himself was born in Hanwell. He went to Hanwell National School. He even got married there.
But the Hanwell Clocktower faced controversy in the early 1970s. An estate agent named Mr Parish disliked it. He wanted to collect money to demolish it. He wanted something more pleasing in its place. Parish called the clock tower a dreadful concrete eyesore. He found its design and location aesthetically unpleasing. He said it was downright ugly built in the 30s. He considered that one of the worst periods for design. Parish thought the clock tower was self-congratulatory. He believed it was built by a small village community. But Hanwell was not a small village in 1937. Its population was over 20000.
Residents and commuters were annoyed by Parish’s views. They saw them as arrogant and insulting. Some found the clock a useful reminder of the time. Others saw it as a good meeting place. Some defended it as typical of the 30s style. The Elthorne Ward Labour Group defended the tower too. They worried its removal might lead to an office block construction.
Most people countered Parish’s arguments. They thought the Hanwell Clocktower needed restoration. They did not think it needed demolition. Restoration work was carried out the following year. The tower was properly cleaned. Its appearance even changed Mr Parish’s mind. He admitted saying harsh things about its architectural inadequacies. But he liked the new clean clock tower. He said all was forgiven.
Cleaning and restoration were common problems over the years. Sometimes the tower had to be boarded up. But in 2002 it was restored again. This was part of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee celebrations. The clock was put back in operation. A new plaque was displayed to celebrate the renovation.
Today the Hanwell Clocktower stands as a testament to community spirit. It shows how people can rally to protect what they value. It is a landmark that has seen its share of controversy. But it remains a beloved symbol of Hanwell. Take a good look at it. Think about its history. Think about the people who fought to keep it here. The Hanwell Clocktower is not just a clock. It is a story etched in stone.