Strip Down Day Two

The second and final day of the dismantling started exploratory investigation of what happened beneath the surface of the waterproof concrete holding the structural frame firmly in place. We have photographs of what should be there but it became apparent that when the Clock had previously been moved the bottoms of the legs had been cut off. This has made the clock stand so much lower for the last few years and the elegant sweep of the curved tubular steel legs has been truncated. 

This obviously needs to be corrected so it was decided that the legs would be cut off flush with the surface of the concrete giving a clean end to which replacement 'feet' could be welded. The frame is also missing a number of uprights and curved cross-bars so this will all be done at the same time.

Drilling around the feet.

Work continued with the removal of the remaining petals. This went smoothly until the infamous petal 1.2.2.24 . Known by its friends as 'Petal 24'. This one refused all coaxing. The hinge pin was firmly fixed and further attempts to remove it could have damaged the sunflower frame so it has been left in place for attention on the bench.

Removing petals.

The Bud was removed and tagged along with the other parts. This has been painted a gold colour a number of times so we will soda blast and repaint to return it to its original lustre. Each of the petals will also be lightly soda blasted and polished.

Removed parts.

The Sunflower head was unbolted and carefully lowered onto a palette ready for transportation. The inside of the sunflower has been cleaned previously but it attracts a great deal of dust and fluff.

The Sunflower Head.

The Control box and the lattice column welded to its top was removed and tagged. Pete Dexter will be replacing the drive motor for the Cobweb Waterwheel that should be housed in this box but which was removed some years ago.

Removing the Control Box.

With all the parts removed the structural frame was cut cleanly off at its base and removed from the pool enclosure.

Cutting the Feet.

The Frame retrieved from the pool.

Gone!

The sad, but thankfully temporary, absence of the Emett Clock from the Victoria Centre that has been its home for over forty years. Now we face the task of returning it to as close to its original form as possible. Restoring its parts, restoring its colour and replacing the parts that have been removed over that period.

After it has been on display in Birmingham it will return, as good as ever, to its rightful place in the Main Mall of the Victoria Centre.