Blackboy Clock

The Blackboy Clock is a clock in Stroud, Gloucestershire, England. It is a jacquemart (Jack clock), with a Black boy figurine with a club that strikes the hours.[1]

Blackboy Clock

History

The clock was made in 1774 and is possibly one of only twenty examples of a jacquemart in the UK. Originally installed in a watchmakers shop on the High Street, after the death of its then owner in 1834 it was moved to the Duke of York pub in Nelson Street. In 1884 it was moved again to the National School for Girls building, later named Blackboys School.[1] It was originally created to promote tobacco.[2][3]

Blackboys School was closed in the 1960s, becoming a teachers training centre, and in the 1990s converted into residential apartments now called Blackboy House. In 1974 it became a Grade II listed building.[1][4]

Consideration of removal

A report commissioned by the Stroud District Council stated that "Whatever the inspiration or its origins, it has to be remembered that, without a doubt, the boy's image came directly or indirectly through the influence of slavery and colonialism".[3] In a subsequent consultation, 78% of the 1,680 respondents stated that the figurine should be removed, with 59% wishing it to be moved to a museum.[5] In April 2022 the council recommended that consultation with the owner should start to progress its removal, and listed building consent for removal to a museum be sought.[6][7] However an article in The Spectator argued that the figurine should "rightfully remain on his much deserved perch".[8]

References
  1. Russell, Kate (July 2021). "Report on the Significance of Blackboy Clock and associated Statue, Blackboy House, Castle Street, Stroud" (PDF). Stoud Council. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  2. "Stroud Hill - Black Boy School". digitalstroud.co.uk. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  3. "Calls to remove 'racist' Blackboy clock in Stroud". BBC News. 30 July 2021.
  4. Historic England. "Stroud Teachers Centre including railings to yard (Grade II) (1090124)". National Heritage List for England.
  5. "Councillors listen to community over street and building names". Stoud Council. 3 May 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  6. "Stroud council to recommend Blackboy clock is removed". BBC News. 21 April 2022. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  7. Felton, James (5 May 2022). "Removal of Blackboy clock is 'not guaranteed'". Stroud News and Journal. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  8. Mosbacher, Michael (24 April 2022). "Will Stroud's 'racist' blackboy clock fall?". The Spectator. Retrieved 31 August 2023.

51°44′38″N 2°12′48″W

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.