Discover Joyce Clocks with the OCN

 Joyce clocks are found at Bronington, Hanmer, Marchwiel, Overton, Ruabon, Tallarn Green, and Worthenbury churches.

J B Joyce & Co is the oldest firm of tower clockmakers in the world and can trace their history back to the year 1690 when William Joyce began making grandfather clocks in the North Shropshire village of Cockshutt. The family business flourished. In 1790 they moved to High Street and in 1904 to a purpose built factory in Station Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire. In 1834 Thomas Joyce embarked upon making large clocks for local churches and public buildings. In 1849 the Company was instrumental in manufacturing a double three-legged gravity escapement after the design of Lord Grimthorpe and this type was later used in the Great Clock of the Palace of Westminster, more commonly known as "Big Ben". This invention revolutionized the timekeeping of large public clocks, such as the nearby Chester Eastgate clock, and has been hailed as the greatest invention since the pendulum. The firm`s reputation spread and contracts for large clocks were won for many public buildings, both at home and overseas.

Many of the churches of the Open Churches Network were fitted with Joyce clocks from the nearby clock works. The company also made clocks for some of the principal railway companies both in Britain and the Commonwealth. The company joined the Smith of Derby Group in 1965 but very much retains its independence.