Time stood still. The Victoria Clock Tower in Foxdale stood tall. Its stone face seemed to watch over the valley. This wasn’t just any clock tower. It was a monument. A testament to Queen Victoria’s 64-year reign. It marked the first memorial in the British Empire dedicated to her.
The Victoria Clock Tower is more than just a pretty clock. The Isle of Man Mining Company commissioned it. They paid for its construction. It stood proudly at the end of the Miner’s Institute. It faced the company’s offices. A gift to the people of Foxdale the clock was strategically placed. Its time could be seen from anywhere in the village. It provided a much-needed standard of time for the miners and their families.
Designed by John Nicholls the mine’s engineer it stands at 40 feet tall. Built with local stone it has concrete corner pieces. Eight buttresses support its base. The clock itself is a masterpiece. J B Joyce & Co of Whitchurch Shropshire supplied it. Two faces grace the tower. One faced the mine. One faced Pott’s Shaft. Each face is 5 feet in diameter made of ironwork filled with opal. You can see them across the valley. They were meant to be illuminated at night. However that never happened.
The dedication ceremony was a grand affair. It was held on May 16 1901. James MacKee chairman of the Isle of Man Mining Company performed the ceremony. He was accompanied by Captain William Kitto and many dignitaries. The Foxdale Mines Band played. At six o’clock Mr MacKee unveiled a marble tablet. The inscription read “Victoria RI Reigned 64 years And still reigns in the hearts of her people”. The band played the National Anthem. Three cheers for the King echoed through the village.
Years passed. The Isle of Man Mining Company closed. The Victoria Clock Tower was sold. Mr Kerruish bought it then donated it back to Foxdale. By 1939 the clock needed repairs. A committee raised £50. A Foxdalian who emigrated to Kirkland Lake Ontario even donated $5. Repairs were done by a Leeds company. A tablet listing the 1901 mine directors was added. The clock started again on July 1 1939.
Today the Victoria Clock Tower remains a symbol of Foxdale’s heritage. A reminder of a time when mining shaped the village’s life. It stands as a testament to Queen Victoria’s reign. It stands as a testament to the community’s spirit. The clock continues its silent vigil. A timeless guardian of Foxdale’s past present and future.