The Lock Down Diary
I have made it to the weekend. Well, at least I think it is the weekend. Working from home and not venturing past my garden gate makes each day feel very much like the last and I seem to be losing track of time. Which is not going to be helped much this evening when the clocks go forward.
Despite the loss of an hour's sleep, the lure of lighter nights and the onset of spring/summer always makes up for it. However, it all feels very different this year with everyone confined to their own homes. The days seem to lack the work routine even though I am attempting to keep to some sort of system so that I know what is happening. I vowed not to wear pyjamas for video conferencing calls, to limit the amount of coffees I make (and not crack open the emergency biscuits), to not get enticed into hoovering.
I have always been fascinated by clocks and there are many around my house from my Grandmother's grand-daughter clock to a slate clock bought in a Stamford antique shop. Most of them are not actually working as the loud ticking or constant chiming was too much of an intrusion into family life. We also have clocks in the Museum collection, including the one on this page which was lovingly restored by one of our volunteers. It includes a barometer and a small silver engraved presentation plate. The clock was presented to the Officers of the 4th Battalion Border Regiment by Colonel FR McConnel VD who commanded the first Volunteer Battalion The Border Regiment at the time of transfer to the Territorial Force on 1st April 1908.
The Territorial Force came into existence in 1908 after Army reforms.. This part-time soldiering became the responsibility of County Associations but was often under-funded. Recruitment for the Territorial Force tended to be local and there was no obligation for soldiers to serve overseas. It is interesting to think that six and a half years after this clock was presented the country was at war. The Territorial Force played an enormous part throughout the First World War and the Museum has collections that highlight this. This clock, although a presentation piece, highlights the formation of something that was to play an important part of the British Army's defence of the country for over four years.
It is great to make a connection with what is happening around us with a timepiece from the Museum especially as time is playing such an important part in our lives at this moment. Just don't forget tonight to move your clocks forward an hour folks!
I have always been fascinated by clocks and there are many around my house from my Grandmother's grand-daughter clock to a slate clock bought in a Stamford antique shop. Most of them are not actually working as the loud ticking or constant chiming was too much of an intrusion into family life. We also have clocks in the Museum collection, including the one on this page which was lovingly restored by one of our volunteers. It includes a barometer and a small silver engraved presentation plate. The clock was presented to the Officers of the 4th Battalion Border Regiment by Colonel FR McConnel VD who commanded the first Volunteer Battalion The Border Regiment at the time of transfer to the Territorial Force on 1st April 1908.
The Territorial Force came into existence in 1908 after Army reforms.. This part-time soldiering became the responsibility of County Associations but was often under-funded. Recruitment for the Territorial Force tended to be local and there was no obligation for soldiers to serve overseas. It is interesting to think that six and a half years after this clock was presented the country was at war. The Territorial Force played an enormous part throughout the First World War and the Museum has collections that highlight this. This clock, although a presentation piece, highlights the formation of something that was to play an important part of the British Army's defence of the country for over four years.
It is great to make a connection with what is happening around us with a timepiece from the Museum especially as time is playing such an important part in our lives at this moment. Just don't forget tonight to move your clocks forward an hour folks!
Comments
Post a Comment