IT'S time to pay a visit to Knutsford Heritage Centre to see and hear a newly-acquired and rare piece of the town's history.

A longcase clock by Knutsford clockmaker Thomas Gaskell was bought by the centre's Friends group, and has been installed in the tapestry gallery.

The clock dates from between 1784 and 1795, and was bought from a man who lives in Stoke on Trent.

He delivered and installed it in the gallery, and was delighted to see the clock returning to its home town.

"It's a rare clock, and the quality of the case and movement are very good, with a fine mahogany figure on the trunk and base." said Friends group treasurer David Bryant.

Knutsford Guardian:

"It's a very special clock which has come home to where it was made, and the heritage centre is absolutely delighted to have accessed it in the collection for the people of Knutsford. It is an eight-day clock striking on a bell.

"We were thrilled to have bought it, and the seller was very pleased it was coming back to Knutsford. He brought it all the way from Stoke, sorted it all out and installed it for us.

"The clock has been in the gallery for about a week, and people are amazed when they see it."

Heritage centre manager Val Bryant said: "The clock is better than we ever expected, and we all keep looking at it.

"The previous owner had owned it for about five years in his home, and felt it was time it was moved on."

Thomas Gaskell is referred to on the town's Millennium tapestry, the name ‘Thomas Gaskell 1760’ being stitched on the Canute Panel.

Knutsford Guardian:

The tapestry was created between 1997 and 2001 to celebrate Knutsford in the Millennium year.

A 40-foot long triptych, the community project depicts all walks of life in Knutsford and is the work of 3,000 members of the community. Most roads, streets and lanes in Knutsford can be seen on the tapestry along with 500 everyday scenes.