The Stabroek Market clock….. working?
A GINA feature, January 21, 2004
Unbelievably, a few days ago it was observed
that the Stabroek Market clock in Stabroek, Georgetown, was actually
working and almost telling the right time.
The clock, which was constructed around 1880-1881 by Mckay in
a Dutch style has not been working for years.
Many vendors and customers passing through the area have become
used to the clock not working and some do not even look at it.
Repairs to the device by experts in the past only lasted for a
while and the experts stated that this was either due to the age
of the clock or to damage by the constant changing patterns of
the weather.
One Guyanese recalled that in 1990, an expert from the Smithsonian
Institute in the United States, David Shayt, repaired the clock.
Soon after it was again not functioning.
The Smithsonian had noted that the clock needed to be capped to
protect it from the weather.
Other public clocks in the capital city have long not been functioning,
including the one at Bourda Market .
A few years ago, the New Building Society (NBS) on Avenue of the
Republic, Georgetown, constructed one clock at the front of the
building. This clock is still working and always tells the right
time.
Many passengers, waiting on transportation in the area, as well
as vendors and passers-by have now become used to the NBS clock
and rely on it each day. Hopefully, the Stabroek Market Clock
would remain in working order for a while.
Wednesday,
January 21, 2004