NEWS that the Tymperleys Clock Museum was closing rocked Colchester. But to huge sighs of relief, Colchester Council has backtracked and the museum will stay. Former curator of Tymperleys Clock Museum, MARK DAVIES, knows more than most about the building and the man who bequeathed it to the town. He gives his account of this man’s involvement and the importance of Tymperleys to the town

ALL too often heritage is seen as looking back. What is not realised is that appreciation of our heritage maintains the individuality of a place and can even be used as a springboard for development.

Colchester businessman Bernard Mason knew that and we should be true to his aspirations. Bernard gave Tymperleys to the people of Colchester and it opened in 1987 as the clock museum.

Bernard spent a fortune restoring Tymperleys and the timber-framed building was rejuvenated to pristine condition. The place was his pride and joy.

I remember seeing it for the first time and thinking what a wonderful house it was. It was the perfect setting for some of his clock collection. You could immediately see that.

There was also this incredible, peaceful garden, right in the middle of town.

It still has that Alice in Wonderland quality when you step into it. A secret place, hidden away from the hustle and bustle of the town centre.

Bernard Mason was intrinsically linked to the town, involved in several organisations, such as the Friends of Colchester Museums, the excavation trust and the committee set up for the building of the Mercury Theatre. In fact, it was Bernard who presented the replica statue of Mercury that greets theatre-goers today.

Bernard was given the honorary freedom of the town in 1968 and it was in response to this, that he announced he was giving Tymperleys to the people of Colchester.

There was a fair intake of breath from everyone to such a generous bequest, but he wanted to give them enough time to think about what to do with the collection and the house.

He actually moved out in 1979 and it was at that particular point it was passed over to us at the museum service.

Interestingly, Bernard Mason never insisted on his clocks being shown in Tymperleys.

He had always imagined they might be exhibited at East Hill House, but, due to a number of reasons, that wasn’t possible.

Bernard’s wish was that Tymperleys would be used for civic duties and, until recently, the clock museum and this civic facility operated hand in hand.

The clocks were downstairs, while upstairs would be used for functions.

To a lot of people, Tymperleys will always be associated with clocks, but in reality the museum is just the tenant of this beautiful, historic house.