Grimsby is a large port town in Lincolnshire where a 14th-century church clock has been stuck at two-past-twelve for twelve years.
Recently, when the church minister decided to see about getting it repaired, a pair of clock engineers gave quotes that wouldn’t look out of place next to the ‘for sale’ sign beside a brand new BMW.
One of the engineers has worked on the Big Ben restoration, and said that the Grimsby Minster tower would need scaffolding to repair external damages. He said they would need £40,000 – £50,000 ($53,000 – $67,000) to do the job.
Fortunately a pair of locals—47-year-old cheesemaker Rick Haywood and 15-year-old student Jay Foley—decided it couldn’t possibly hurt to take a look themselves.
“We found various dead pigeons gumming up the bearings; some of the bearings were very dry,” Haywood told the Sun. “We gave it grease and WD-40 and managed to get it running,” spoke the truest of DIY practitioners.
They used their phones to set the correct time on each of the hands, which worked on their own mechanisms.
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“We saved them at least £40,000 so I am hoping for a [church] meal invite,” Haywood joked, while the church warden said that the colossal savings were hugely appreciated and that now they wouldn’t have to launch a fundraising appeal.
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He added that it would also be a relief to no longer have the matter of the stuck tower clock being brought up to him by passersby.
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Had similar situation – quoted $40,000.00 by contractor to fix basement leak, spent $10.00 to fill hole….14 years ago – hasn’t leaked since. Hope those guys get their meal and extra prayers (-:
Thanks you saving the church money, men!! Good ol’ WD-40 to the rescue!