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Clock this!

Bethan Dorsett
29/ 1/2008

IT’S time for town to go digital, according to enthusiastic Rotarians.

Members of Rochdale Rotary Club want to help shoppers unable to tell the time when the Town Hall is out of sight by installing a state-of-the-art clock in the town centre.

The new clock would feature a digital face and a temperature gauge.

And members are keen for help from the public in choosing the ideal location.

Rotary president David Acton explained: "Ideally, we would like to place the clock on Manchester Road near Touchstones or alternatively Yorkshire Street as a welcome into Rochdale.

"The club itself is divided as some of our members want it where it can be seen by pedestrians rather than motorists who will speed past it.

"It will definitely not be in sight of the Town Hall as it would be situated where visitors are unable to see its clock tower."

For many years Rochdalians have given generously to the club, which supports local, national and international charities.

As a group which retains the motto ‘service before self’, the clock is thought to be an ideal way to give something back to the community.

"To fly our rotary flag in Rochdale would be a little presumptuous," added Mr Acton.

"However, we thought that a digital clock with a temperature could be a useful asset, while at the same time reminding the people of Rochdale that rotary is always ready to help.

"The club is made up of people who could make a quick decision on the location of such a clock.

"However, as it will embrace all people in Rochdale we thought it would be good to involve them in identifying a suitable site."