Calls by a rector to restore the traditional chimes of a historic church clock have been given a huge vote of support by local people.

The Rector of Wallingford, the Rev John Morley, has attacked Wallingford Town Council for continuing to silence the recently restored town clock.

A voteline set up by the Oxford Mail's sister paper, The Wallingford Herald, set up to find out the views of our readers, revealed 90 per cent thought the clock's traditional chimes should be reinstated.

The result makes a mockery of claims by town councillors that the bells would be an unwelcome nuisance, and Mr Morley urged members to back down and let the bells be heard. The clock was mounted on the tower of St Mary's Church in 1868 but was silenced in 1957. However, Mr Morley insisted recent restoration work meant the once-popular chimes could be re-introduced at little expense.

He said: "My suggestion seems to have hit the right note. The Herald's voteline recorded a massive majority in favour of the reinstatement of the hourly chime, and I hope that our councillors will reconsider their decision, and make some moves towards restoring a little more tradition to our historic town centre."

He added: "It is nonsense to say that the chimes would cause a noise nuisance. We are calling for one bell with a rhythmic, melodic chime, not a full peal of eight bells." Wallingford Town Councillor, Mr John Beeton, who supports plans to reinstate the traditional chimes, also welcomed the readers' verdict. He said: "I am strongly in favour of bringing the chimes back - and would even support having the clock striking all through the night. People may notice the chimes for a short time but would soon get used to it. It would be a nice reassuring sound which would let people know what time it is."

He added: "It is a nice tradition, which is what Wallingford is all about - so I am surprised other councillors have voted against it. I don't think other councillors have given it enough thought, and I am glad the people of the town have been given the chance to decide for themselves." Deputy Mayor of Wallingford, Betty Atkins, said: "This has got to be looked at from all sides. If you live on the outside of the town and come to the Market Place one or two times a week, it would be lovely to hear the clock chiming, but it is a different kettle of fish if you actually live there. I have spoken to a lot of people who live in the town centre who don't like the idea."

But she added: "If the majority of people are in favour of having the clock chiming, we would have to look at it again."

She invited anyone who supports or opposes the proposal, to come and address the town council.

Story date: Saturday 04 September

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