A Sonnet to Joshua Bradley

SONNET

Inscribed to Joshua Bradley, 

the Donor of Hyde Town Hall Clock and Bells.

HOW CAN WE THANK THEE TRUE, DEVOTED FRIEND,

FOR THIS RARE OFFERING TO THY NATIVE TOWN, BUT BY PROFOUND REGARD?

FAIR HONOURS CROWN IS THINE.

THIS NOBLE GIFT WILL EVER TEND

TO SHOW THE PROMPTINGS OF THY GENEROUS HEART,

WHICH FREELY GIVES, WITH AN UNSPARING HAND,

FROM HARD EARNED STORE.

BASE SELF CAN NEVER STAND ON FAME LIKE THINE, WHICH WILL TO THEE IMPART,

IN THY DECLINING YEARS, A JOY UNKNOWN.

SAVE TO THYSELF, WHOM WE REVERE THE MORE

FOR THIS GOOD DEED. WHO KNOWS WHAT LIES IN STORE

FOR THOSE WHO WORK AND GIVE FOR GOOD ALONE?

THIS TREASURED BOON THY MEMORY WILL ADORN,

AND RING THY PRAISE TO GENERATIONS YET UNBORN.

Town Hall Clock

 Here is an unusual view of Hyde Town Halls' clock and workings from inside the tower.

The dedication plaque shows Joshua Bradleys name and the date 13th October 1884. 
The large bell in the clocktower is known as Owd Joss (Old Josh), named after Joshua Bradley, a former poor child worker in the mills who later became mayor of Hyde. 

The clock chimes the Westminster Quarters, the same chimes as Big Ben in Westminster.

"Owd Joss"

As most Hydonians know, the large bell in the Town hall clock is known as "Owd Joss". It is so named because it was bequested to Hyde by Joshua Bradley , a former poor child worker in the mills who later became mayor of Hyde.



The clock chimes the "Westminster Quarters" which is the most common name for a melody used by a set of clock bells to chime on each quarter hour. The number of chime sets matches the number of quarter hours that have passed. It is also known as the Westminster Chimes, or the Cambridge Chimes from its place of origin, the church of St Mary the Great, Cambridge.
Big Ben is probably the most famous use of the Westminster Quarters.