Clock This: Leeds (Part 5: North-East)

A trip from the city centre to Chapel Allerton and back.

First port of call is St James's Hospital ("Jimmy's") on Beckett Street. The chapel building in the hospital grounds has this ornate tower. The hospital complex was built in 1858-62, although the "Potts of Leeds" book dates the clock from 1886.

I do like the simple but rather pretty and elegant surround to the clock.

Moving northwards we come to the Roundhay Road pharmacy. The simple design of the clock is clear and effective, which is probably what you need when you're not feeling very well. But in this case the clock itself needs to be given some pills or potions as it is unfortunately not working, despite appearing to be in good condition.

Not far away is the aptly named Clock Building. Originally the site of a building with a prominant clock, it was replaced by a cinema in 1938. The building now appears to have had a variety of commercial uses in recent years.

The main tower has a large clock face on each side. Sadly this clock is, like its pharmacy neighbour, also stopped.

Curiously there is another clock (also stopped) on the curved front edge of the tower.

Almost due west on Chapeltown Road is this semi-derelict building. Orginally the Union Chapel of 1882, it for a while became a Sikh temple until a purpose built temple was constructed across the road.

The clock faces, all giving different times, show varying types of damage.

Northwards to Chapel Allerton itself, and this clock to be found on Harrogate Road. Although now largely used for commercial purposes, this building of 1904 was originally the police station, fire station and library, with only the latter remaining in use. Sadly this is our fourth building in a row with a non-functioning clock.

If you have walked all the way from the city centre it is definitely time for refreshments. I would recommend Crust and Crumb just a few doors away which serves excellent tea and cakes, and which has lovely staff who provided suggestions for other clocks in the area.

Once refreshed it is time to move north to St Matthew's in Wood Lane. The church, built 1897-99, has this open frame clock. At long last a clcok that is working and showing the correct time.

And now it's heading back south to the city centre. There are two buildings on what in effect is a large traffic island at the junction of Clay Pit Lane and Sheepscar Street. The northernmost, and most modern, of the two is Greenwich House of 1990. The high location of the clock, and being penned in by lanes of fast moving traffic, meant that it was difficult to get a decent photo.

Its southern neighbour is Northwood House. Although of different vintages, the clocks on both buildings had stopped. North-east Leeds is clearly not the place to venture without your own timepiece.

Close to the edge of the city centre on North Street are the premises of Thomas Green & Son Ltd. Yet another Potts clock, of 1923, and for a change in working order.