Bid to restore church with 13-hour clock

And now parishioners have launched a fundraising appeal to keep Whitgift Church ticking along after a survey found it in need or urgent repair.

The St Mary Magdalene Church, a Grade I listed building which sits near the River Ouse between Whitgift and Reedness near Goole, needs repairs to its roof, tower and other work after major faults were found in a survey by English Heritage.

Whitgift’s Parochial Church Council has been awarded £54,000 towards the £119,000 cost of the scheme from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and although they and The Friends of Whitgift Church have raised a significant amount towards the remainder there is still a £13,000 shortfall.

Its proximity to the river means there are ongoing issues with subsidence and it last underwent a refurbishment 10 years ago. Then five years ago a new face was provided to its famous thirteen-hour clock by the Leeman family in memory of church warden John Leeman, who used to wind the clock up each week, a task now performed by his son-in-law.

“It’s just ongoing because of the age of it,” said Joan Drayton, the council’s treasurer. “It’s an integral part of the community historically and just part of village life.”

No-one is certain how the clock came to have a number XIII, but local legend has it that the painter responsible had made good use of the pub next door while carrying out the work.

Lord Haw Haw had bragged that German bombers would fly so low they would “be able to see the thirteenth hand of the Whitgift church clock”.

The council added: “We hope that people with connections to this unique 14th century church will make a donation towards this important restoration work.”

Anyone wanting to help or find out more can call Mrs Drayton on 01405 704512.