William Eichler 28 August 2019

Council finds 500-year-old stolen clock

West Suffolk Council has located an antique clock after it was stolen during a break in nearly six decades ago.

The Drum Clock, which was made in Prague in 1540, was stolen during a robbery at a former Clock Museum in 1964.

A part of the Gershom Parkington collection, the irreplaceable time piece was thought to have been lost forever.

However, the council was contacted earlier this year by an auction house after they had been offered the clock to sell.

The council was able to claim it back after negotiating a settlement fee of £4000 with the current owner from the Gershom Parkington bequest.

It is now on display at Moyses Hall Museum in Bury St Edmunds.

‘At 479-years-old, this is the earliest clock in our collection,’ said Cllr Joanna Rayner, cabinet member for leisure and culture at West Suffolk Council which owns and manages the museum.

‘It has had a remarkable journey during its time and having been stolen 55-years-ago I think it’s fair to say all hope was lost in ever getting it back.

‘We are extremely grateful to the auctioneers for spotting this as our stolen clock and contacting us so that we could arrange to get it back and put it back on display alongside other fascinating time pieces from the Gershom Parkington collection.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Product Support Analyst

Essex County Council
£33512 - £39425 per annum + Hybrid Working
*Experience the best of both worlds with our flexible hybrid working arrangements. Enjoy the freedom to work from home while still benefiting from in England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Security Architect

Essex County Council
£60049 - £70645 per annum + Hybrid Working
This is a 12 month fixed term contract or secondment opportunity.*Experience the best of both worlds with our flexible hybrid working arrangements. E England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Control Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£37602 - £45564 plus shift and weekend allowance
Are you looking for your next opportunity to work as part of a team in a 24-hour emergency control room covering the Boroughs of Richmond and Wandsworth. To be responsible for receiving and logging calls from the public, outside agencies and partners. Use Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Senior User Centered Designer

Essex County Council
£60049 - £70645 per annum + Hybrid Working
Interviews will be held on 29th and 30th October 2025.*Experience the best of both worlds with our flexible hybrid working arrangements. Enjoy the fr England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Network and Communications Lead

Essex County Council
£52621 - £61906 per annum + Hybrid working
Interviews will be held W/C 20th October 2025.*Experience the best of both worlds with our flexible hybrid working arrangements. Enjoy the freedom to England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner