The niece of a star of Brief Encounter was a special guest as the iconic clock from the movie returned to Carnforth station after six years.
A ceremony earlier this morning (Tuesday, March 24), saw its official unveiling on the station platform.
The clock was first installed at the station in December 1895 and manufactured by Joyce of Whitchurch in Shropshire.
It was a huge tourist attraction but was removed from the station for safety reasons in 2020 for restoration and to have its fixings remade.
A spokesperson for Carnforth Town Council said: ‘’Today marked a truly joyful moment for Carnforth as the iconic Joyce clock returned to its rightful place after being removed in 2020 for essential restoration.
‘’Made famous worldwide by Brief Encounter, the clock once again presides proudly over the platform, symbolising heritage, craftsmanship, and the deep affection so many people hold for this remarkable station.''
‘’The atmosphere was filled with excitement and pride, with visitors turning out in great numbers to witness the moment the red curtains were drawn back to reveal the fully restored clock, gleaming once more above the platform.
‘’This warm, community celebration brings together history, heritage, and heartfelt local pride.
‘’ Today wasn’t just about the return of a timepiece. It was about honouring Carnforth’s story, its people, and its place in film history.
‘’Welcome home, Joyce clock. You belong here, and we’re delighted to have you back.’’
In addition to the unveiling, a beautifully crafted cake, designed in the style of the clock face, added to the celebrations, and was ceremonially cut by Peter Yates and Deputy Carnforth Town Mayor, Cllr Ian Laurence.
The unveiling ceremony was attended by a gathering of people who helped make the return of the clock possible, including Mike Smith, owner of the clock; Phil James, North West Director of Network Rail; and Ian Croucher and Peter Yates, local residents whose tireless efforts were instrumental in securing the clock’s return.
Gilly Fleming, niece of Brief Encounter star Celia Johnson, who featured in a lead role in the movie along with Trevor Howard, was also invited as a special guest, adding a special connection to the film that made the clock world‑famous.
During the period when the clock wasn’t in place, Beyond Radio spoke at length to supporters of Carnforth Railway Station about its potential future.
Peter Yates MBE discovered the original mechanism of the 19th century clock at a collector's house in south London, and it was restored in the station in 2003.
He removed the clock, owned by the Smith family of Guernsey, when he saw some cracking in the brackets that held it, and there then followed a long period where the clock couldn’t be put back in place, against the backdrop of the need for wider improvements to Carnforth station itself, as well as uncertainty over the future of the Carnforth Station Heritage Centre.
Click here to listen to those interviews with Peter Yates MBE, custodian of the Brief Encounter clock, Ian Quinn from The Snug Micropub, based at the station, and Carnforth Station Heritage Centre volunteers.
Cllr Jackson Stubbs, Ward Councillor for Carnforth and Millhead, said he hoped the clock would now remain in permanent position at the station.
He told Beyond Radio: ‘’I welcome the return of the iconic Joyce clock to Carnforth Train Station. The clock was featured prominently in the Brief Encounter film and for too long, this has been gathering dust behind closed doors in private ownership.
‘’Although a welcome return, I hope this signifies recognition from the owner of the clock that they are merely custodians of a community asset and have a duty to ensure this is permanently displayed at the station.
‘’I would encourage the formal transfer of ownership to a Carnforth based community organisation to ensure its long term future.’’
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