The dawn of a new life for Guardbridge Paper Mill was marked this week when its clock began to run again for the first time in almost two years.
Hanging above the main entrance, the clock kept time for workers and villagers for generations.
But in 2008 it ground to a halt after Curtis Fine Papers went into administration, taking with it over 250 jobs.
The clock hands were fixed around noon the time when the 37-acre site was closed and quickly became an unfortunate reminder of the factory’s demise.
But that has changed in recent days with the future of the mill somewhat brighter thanks to its proposed purchase by St Andrews University.
Appropriately, the clock has sprung back into life to the delight of many in the community.
Guardbridge Community Council chairwoman Elspeth Paterson said she became quite emotional when she noticed.Tremendous lift”It is just an absolutely marvellous sign that things are starting to get going and has given me a tremendous lift and I’m sure others in the community,” she said.
“The clock is very small but means so much. It symbolised when the factory closed and to see it up and running shows that is coming back to life.
“Just this little thing makes such a difference.”
Spokesman Niall Scott said the university wanted to have the clock up and running after a meeting with the local community council this week, when it was explained how sad many people in the village were that the mill clock had not moved since the day the site closed.
“We visited the mill the next day and asked the staff on site if it was possible to get the clock moving again,” said Mr Scott.
“We’re delighted they were able to help so quickly and that people have noticed already.”
He did, however, offer a word of caution.
“We have to stress, however, that the mechanism is apparently a little sticky after almost two years of disuse and there’s a fair chance it will stop and start a few times before it’s working properly again.
“Just don’t set your watches by it yet.”