South Woodford’s
hidden treasure

A chance meeting in George Lane with Colin Bent led me to a most wonderful discovery. Colin is one of the leading horologists in the country and has lived and worked in Woodford all his life, starting work as an apprentice at the age of 15.

“Horolo’ what ?” You may ask. Well that’s a clock maker and restorer to you and me. Though that doesn’t do justice to all Colin’s skills and experience of over 50 years, which has made him one of the leading authorities on all types of antique timepieces, from grandfather clocks to tiny wristwatches.

On display at his mews gallery at the top of Grove Hill are an array of clocks, barometers and globes as well as beautiful reproduction antique furniture. Many of the clocks I had thought to be antiques like an extremely ornate Act of Parliament clock turned ou to be a perfect reproduction.

As well as his skills, Colin enlists the help of highly skilled craftsmen in gold leaf and laquer-work to produce some beautiful specimens, which would not look out of place in a stately home. (Sadly, Colin says the generation of craftsmen is getting older). As well as restoration, he accepts commissions for new timepieces and other items in a range of styles.

His clients include many well-known names; Hanging proudly on the wall is a framed letter headed “Harry Potter – and the Prisoner of Azkaban”. The production team enlisted Colin’s help in producing the timepiece sound effects for the film. Asked to name his fee, Colin requested instead, a framed letter of thanks!

 

Text taken from
South Woodford Gazette
article May/June 2007