Johnny Pickles was a local mechanical engineer. He began his working career as an apprentice to Henry Brown as a machinist and engineer in Earby. He went on to serve in various other companies to broaden his experience before returning to work for Henry Brown as a foreman. When the company wound up in 1929, Johnny went on to set up his own company called Henry Brown, Sons and Pickles Ltd who specialised as millwrights.
In his spare time, Johnny was an acclaimed Model engineer, making scale models of steam locomotives and scientific instruments.
In 1931 Johnny turned his interest to turret clocks. The first one was the most complex of all his clocks, and as it includes a calendar. This clock, which needs to be wound by hand can be seen at St Joseph’s Catholic Church.
The second clock was built in 1937, this was built for Riley Street Methodist Chapel in Earby. When this chapel closed in 1960, Johnny took the clock back and installed it above the arch at the Wellhouse works, which by now were being run by his son Newton. In 1981 the business was sold to Gissing and Lonsdale Ltd. They moved the clock to their new premises and added a blue turret to house the dials. On the subsequent sale of the business in 2021 the Gissing family offered the clock to Bancroft Mill so that it could remain in the town. It was considered that the clock was too historically significant to be lost. The engine house at the mill seemed an appropriate place to display the clock, as the company of Henry Brown Sons and Pickles had maintained the engine through most of its working life.
So what happened to the third clock? Well that was built in 1959 for Holy Trinity Church. This is the only one that was designed to be wound electrically.
We would like to note our gratitude to the Gissing family for the gift of the clock, and their help in transporting it to the mill, and to Barnoldswick Town Council for their support and encouragement along with their help with the cost of the installation.