Chris McKay, Horologist

Turret clocks have been Chris McKay's interest since he was a boy; the first he saw was in a derelict tower from his school's playing field, and when he was 19 he became involved in the clock's restoration. Since then he has been involved in many restoration events including projects in Canada, Australia, Italy and Africa. For 27 years Chris was on the Committee for the Turret Clock Group of the Antiquarian Horological Society and was Chairman for half of that time. He has also served on the Board of the British Horological Institute and has been Vice-Chairman of the Institute. Currently he serves on the Clocks Committee of the Church Buildings Council, a Church of England body that advises on historical issues and awards grant aid.

"Chris McKay is to be congratulated on writing what must be the definitive book on the origin and history of this much loved icon of the British people. Well produced, profusely illustrated and clearly written, the book describes the mechanical detail and history of the great clock and bells in a manner that will enlighten expert and layman alike. If you only ever buy one book on clocks, this should most definitely be it." - The Ringing World

"Chris McKay tells you everything you could possibly want to know about the clock and its bells ... he knows his stuff." - Keith Richmond, Government Gazette

"As with all the best historical object biographies, McKay's book invites us - no forces us - to look at a familiar artefact with entirely fresh and searching eyes. Details we may have previously overlooked now, with McKay's patient guidance, become startlingly apparent, and these revelations are much needed if we are to understand fully the role of technology in our everyday lives." - David Rooney, Antiquarian Horology

"A very good book [...], a work which holds the interest of the reader whilst imparting knowledge of both the history and technology of the clock, the tower, and bells; an impressive feat. It is also a book which tells enough to stimulate interest while not being too heavy. If you have only one book on turret clocks, it should probably be this one." - Colin Fergusson, Horological Journal

"It is a well presented book, with a wealth of interesting facts and figures, and well worth a place on any bookshelf." - Jill Hadfield, Horological Journal