Hayes (Benlow Works)

I have often spotted this clock from the window of the train on the line from Paddington, on the north side of the tracks just to the east of Hayes and Harlington station. So I thought it was about time I found out what and where it was.

The building stands on Silverdale Road in the middle of an uninspiring industrial / trading estate.

The clock is only on the side that faces the railway.

The other, and more accessible, side of the building only has a plaque giving the date of construction, 1909.

The building turns out to be the only surviving part of the much larger Aeolian pianola factory. After WWII it was renamed the Benlow Works, and had various uses including for Kraft cheese and Walls sausages and pies.

It is now Grade II listed, but is in a bit of a dilapidated state.

The clock itself, not surprising, is not working. Viewed from the train I thought that the hands were severely damaged, but closer up shows that they are intact and showing 6.30 (I assume as a result of gravity).

 

 

The final picture is taken from the train window, which up to now had been my only view of this lovely building.