The College Foundation
The College Foundation was set up in 1994 and was the first registered charity established in the U.K. to enhance the education of students attending a further education college. Since then we have raised over £1,000,000 for the benefit of our students.
Lansdowne Clock Tower Appeal
About the Appeal
For local residents, tourists and generations of college students, the architectural splendour and resonant bell chime of the Lansdowne clock tower has been a part of daily life.
However, things have now sadly changed with this magnificent focal point lapsing into a state of disrepair and the clock chime itself silenced for the first time in almost a century.
Marion Davies, Fundraising Manager for The Bournemouth and Poole College Foundation said: “With so very few heritage and landmark sites across the conurbation, the Lansdowne clocktower has to be one of the most recognisable geographical features in the locality.
We are appealing to local residents, community groups, business and industry and individuals to support this worthwhile cause, and to help us save this beautiful feature for generations to come.”
About the Clock Tower
Built in 1911, this prominent Grade II listed building now requires immediate attention to reinstate it to its former glory. Gifted to The College upon opening by Mrs A E Croft, mother of Henry Page Croft (later Lord Croft, the then MP for the area), the feature clock stands proudly at the top of the 150ft clock tower capped by a cupola in Portland stone designed by F W Lacey, Architect to the Borough of the time.
What we Need
In order to fully reinstate this splendid building The College Foundation has set about raising up to £750,000 for the specialist construction and restoration work. Marion added: “This is significant repair work including refurbishment of brickwork, woodwork, overhauling the clock, and window replacement. The cost of erecting scaffolding alone will be in excess of £50,000.”
A small amount of restoration work, at a cost of £35,000, was undertaken in 2005 to preserve and strengthen the timber and ironwork that support the bell within the cupola at the top of the tower. Now the team is concentrating on raising £135,000 to preserve and clean the brickwork of the Clock Tower. The total cost to restore the Lansdowne Clock Tower is £750,000.
Fundraising
A number of fundraising events have taken place and more are planned. The fundraising team is urging supporters to do anything they can to help reach this challenging target by taking part in fundraising events and perhaps organising their own event.
For details of how you can help raise funds or information on the appeal please contact Marion Davies on 01202 465509(email: mdavies@bpc.ac.uk) Marion would also like to hear about any stories, anecdotes or tales relating to the Lansdowne clock tower.
Be a Brick and Buy a Brick for £5, which is the cost of restoring 1 brick. There are 23,000 bricks within the Clock Tower and, to date, we have raised sufficient funds to restore 3,000 of them so we still have a long way to go. Click here if you would like to help restore the brickwork.
Could you organise a fundraising event to raise funds for the Lansdowne Clock Tower Appeal? Please contact us if you would like to help us in this way.