BIRCH MEMORIAL CLOCK TOWER

 

The Birch Memorial Clock Tower is a heritage clock tower located in a square off Jalan Dato Sagor.

The clock tower is a popular tourism site that has a story behind its construction in 1909.

 

 

It was erected in memory of James W.W. Birch who was the first British Resident of Perak, assassinated in Pasir Salak in 1875.

The memorial project was initiated by James’s son EW Birch, which costs $25,000.

 

 

The exterior of the clock tower has four statues, each representing the pillars of British administration: Patience, Loyalty, Justice and Fortitude.

The beauty lies in the intricating paintings of 44 famous figures on the four sides of the tower, which symbolize the growth of civilization.

One of the figures is Prophet Mohammad was painted over in the 1990s.

It has a mother bell weighing 10cwt and four smaller bells which used to strike the chimes.

 

 

Datuk Bandar Datuk Rumaizi Baharin @ Md Daud said the Ipoh City Council (MBI) had engaged experienced contractor to service the clock.

“The clock needs monthly servicing as it is running on a mechanical system.

“The costs for services amount to RM49,900 per year. 

 

 

“However, the cost for repair work depends on the degree of damages and taking account of painting work and changing mechanical parts which comes to RM15,000.

“MBI take charge of repair works and servicing in order to maintain the clock staying alive from generation to generation,” he said. 

 

 

Meanwhile, MBI engineer Mohammed Razlin Roslan said that the maintenance and services work had already completed three days ago, which include manual winding service and there is no major defect on spare parts.