Couple visit 10 Downing Street to see Benson grandfather clock

Tony and Sal Calvin, who live in Carleton, near Egremont, made the journey to London to see the clock, which stands in the grand entrance of the Prime Minister’s official residence.

The clock was made by John Benson of Whitehaven, between 1760 and 1780, at a time when there were more than 50 clockmakers in the town.

It is reported that the clock’s chimes irritated Winston Churchill so much that he had the musical machinery turned off.

Josh MacAlister, the MP for Whitehaven and Workington, arranged for Mr Calvin and his wife to have a tour of 10 Downing Street so they could see the antique clock.

Mr Calvin, who is chairman of Friends of The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven, had arranged to see the clock some years ago when Jamie Reed was MP, but the visit had to be cancelled.

A second visit was then arranged by Mr MacAlister, who has a keen interest in local history, after Mr Calvin told him about the clock.

Mr Calvin said: “A visit was arranged very quickly. The only problem we had on the build-up to our second visit, is they were standing COBRA up daily, due to the riots.

“As it was, it wasn’t cancelled, so last Thursday morning we met the guy in charge of front of house at 10 Downing Street, who showed us the clock.

“When Churchill was there, he had the chimes silenced. They are working again, I can vouch for that.”

Most of Benson’s surviving works are brass dial 8 day ‘long case’, (more commonly known as ‘grandfather’) clocks, which often include astronomical indicators above the main clock face.

He also produced musical clocks that chimed on the quarter and the cases were all of fine quality, made from red walnut or mahogany.

Josh MacAlister, the MP for Whitehaven and Workington, next to the Benson grandfather clock made in Whitehaven, which stands in the grand entrance of 10 Downing Street (Image: Submitted)

Mr Calvin said: “The Downing Street clock is tremendous. It’s exceptionally high. Most of these quality ones were built for Georgian houses, which is probably why it’s so big.

“With Whitehaven being a port, importing lots of rare timbers, the clockmakers had access to good quality timbers. This particular one is made out of mahogany.

“It’s a top notch piece of cabinet making with top notch movement in there, by the best clockmaker we had in Whitehaven, at the time.

“What we don’t know, is how it got to Downing Street. The probability is it has come from Lord Lonsdale. It would be a very expensive clock at that time.”

Mr Calvin will now do some research into how the clock got to the office of the Prime Minister and plans to contact the historian for 10 Downing Street.

Josh MacAlister, MP for Whitehaven and Workington, said: “I was delighted to arrange a tour of 10 Downing Street for two residents with an interest in the Benson clock which was made in Whitehaven. I went in to see it myself a couple of weeks ago and it’s a beautiful clock with a rich history!

“It’s brilliant that something made right here in West Cumbria sits in the foyer of the seat of government and is seen every day by the Prime Minister, senior politicians and visiting dignitaries.”