THE REPAINTING of the clock face on St James Chapel last week by tower and turret clock specialist David Jones brought back memories of one unfortunate incident when safety equipment was not quite what it is today.
As a young apprentice with the Okehampton Electrical Lighting Company Limited in the early 1920s, Arthur Bevan was called to St James Chapel with electrician Les Millman, who later became branch manager of SWEB at Holsworthy.
The lamp illuminating the clock on the Fore Street side of the town had failed. The light was on a slide and when it was necessary to renew it, the slide had to be pulled in to obtain access to the light fitting.
Unfortunately they found the slide was jammed and Les sent Arthur to the workshop to obtain a rope.
Subsequently he was lowered over the side and he swung out to renew the lamp.
Unfortunately when he pulled Arthur back, the rope stuck to the coin of the tower and Arthur turned upside down.
As he dangled precariously he was aware of all his pocket contents plummeting to the pavement below.
Children watching a Punch and Judy show outside James Wright and Co Limited (where Angus McPhie is now) lost interest in the show and focused their attention on poor Arthur.
Taxi drivers in the rank became aware of his predicament — so to did Tommy Friend, a well known Okehampton figure. Their sheer strength managed to pull Arthur back to safety on the top of the tower.
One can only imagine what the health and safety executive would think of carrying out this sort of repair job today!
Okehampton Electrical Lighting Company Limited later became West Devon Electrical Supply Company and subsequently the South Western Electricity Board (SWEB).
Arthur became branch manager at Okehampton. He was also a member of the town band and secretary of Okehampton Argyle Football Club for many years.
The dark blue and gold colours of the new clock face which reflect those on the town crest are to tie in with the new street lighting and furniture.
As part of the enhancement plan for the Fore Street area, St James Chapel will also be illuminated and the inside and outside of the building painted.
The Rev Russell Chamberlain said the inside of the chapel had not been decorated for 12 years.
Around £12,000 is being spent in total on the building.
'We had the clock painted about seven years ago but it seemed people preferred it when it was a darker colour,' he said.
'In the 1970s it was black but West Devon Borough Council said they would give us a grant if we chose the same colour as the street lights.
'We did and now it looks fantastic.'