Time’s up for our April Fool’s Day joke.
On Friday morning Lois Da Parlfoy ‘exclusively revealed’ the Hilltown Clock in Dundee was going digital.
The story read: “As a new generation of kids struggle with analogue clock faces in this modern age, plans are afoot to replace the famous timepiece with a digital version.”
Some of our readers quickly rumbled the April 1 stunt – but others failed to clock it.
‘Downright disgrace’
Peter Taylor wrote on Facebook: “That is a downright disgrace, this is part of Dundee history.”
Craig Guest said: “This is just an extreme thought…we could save the money and then use it on improving the education of our children so they can actually tell the time.”
Keira Jayne Stocks added: “Just teach them how to tell the time. It’s a disservice to them to change things so they can live less bright lives.”
The maverick plan of EU expert Rolf Paoli was not going down well.
And the unequivocal response from our readers was clear – don’t mess with tradition.
‘Worry for the next generation’
Tracy Malley said: “Leave things as they are. Kids enjoy learning how to tell time.”
Ash Thomson commented: “They should struggle and learn analogue and Roman numerals.
“They should even learn to read a sun dial.”
Pprim Llouise couldn’t hide her anger, saying: “Seriously. What a worry for this world with the next generation growing up.
“Can’t tell the time, heads glued to computer devices is only the half of it. Jeezo.”
Derek Coyle added: “Young anes these days don’t even know how to hold their phones to their face when taking a phone call.
“[They hold] it out speaking into the bottom of the phone getting ready for a bird to land on it!”
Tony Carlin couldn’t hide his frustration.
‘It’s an April Fool, but…’
He said: “What about mare cooncil hoses and things for the bairns to dae?!
“Absolute waste o oor money and a complete joke!”
Oswald Gary kept it short and sweet, adding: “Another case of the council ripping the soul out of Dundee.”
As did Catherine McLeish: “They’ll be changing Big Ben next.”
The last word goes to Paul Wright who rumbled our story – but still took aim at the Sinderins Beacon.
He wrote: “It’s an April Fool but believable after the council replaced the Sinderins’ Victorian lamp post and with a plastic monstrosity.”
Our original story…
For more than 120 years it has stood atop one of the city’s steepest streets.
Erected in 1900, at the Strathmartine Road junction, the Hilltown Clock was a welcome stop-off point for generations of weary parents who told their kids – “awa an see the time oan the Hulltoon clock!”
But as a new generation of kids struggle with analogue clock faces in this modern age, plans are afoot to replace the famous timepiece with a digital version.
The idea is the brainchild of EU boffin Rolf Paoli.
“I first came to see the Hilltown clock when I was on holiday from Italy as a child,” he explained.
“Sadly I had never been taught to tell the time very well, so although I loved the clock I was never quite sure what time it was.
“I can’t be alone in thinking this so it struck me – wouldn’t it be great if all the historic timepieces in the world were made into digital clocks, starting with the Hilltown?
“I think it is something people will be very proud of in Dundee.”
Mr Paoli hopes a global trend will thus begin in the Hilltown.
“Ultimately we could see clocks like Big Ben turn digital,” he continued.
“It’s really exciting. A real global revolution – and it could all start with the Hilltown clock.”
Mr Paoli urged people to back his maverick plan, saying: “Come on Dundee – let’s go digital. It’s time.”
The famous clock was gifted to the community by Sir Charles Barrie, a former Lord Provost who had represented the Coldside area on the council.
It became fondly known as Barrie’s Clock, although few people are aware of this alias today.
Over the years, the clock and its tower have undergone a series of facelifts, changing from its original purple to orange in 2017.
Designed by burgh engineer William Mackison, the Hilltown Clock was made by iron founders Beath and Keay and fitted up by clockmaker GD Rattray of Nethergate.
In 1901, it was said to have been “much enhanced” with the addition of a couple of ornamental lamp brackets although these were later removed.
But this latest facelift, which should be in place by April 1 next year, will be the biggest change in the timepiece’s long and illustrious history.
