Just in time – Star Platforms helps save Coronation Clocktower

Star Platforms has provided a rough terrain cherry picker to help a team of volunteer contractors save a Berkshire clock tower built to celebrate Queen Elizabeth 11’s coronation.

The Coronation Clock Tower in Thatcham was in need of urgent repair so local businesses joined together to carry out the work – just as businesses had done to build it in 1953.

The Star Platforms Reading depot supported the project with a Skyjack SJ46 AJ rough terrain articulating cherry picker to allow the team to carry out high level work on the tower.

Demolition plan

The project was led by Michael Wall, owner of Wall 2 Wall Services, a building services specialist based in Thatcham, who can remember playing in the playing fields next to the tower as a child.

When he heard there was a plan to demolish the tower because of the high cost of repairs, he gathered together a team of local contractors to offer to save it.

Michael said: “As a kid, I can remember hearing the clock chime and knowing it was time to go home for tea. I knew local contractors had built the clock tower, so I thought they could save it as well.

“Star Platforms’ support in providing the cherry picker, free of charge, was essential to carry out the high level repairs and then repaint the tower. It’s contributed to saving the tower for posterity.”

Fitting tribute

Other companies that provided their services free of charge were Flash Flooring and J D Electrics. Building merchant Travis Perkins supplied all materials required for the refurbishment.

Star Platforms Business Development Manager Jack Miller, who is based at the Reading depot, said: “We were delighted to help Michael and his team. Given the timing, with Her Majesty passing in 2022, we all thought it would be a fitting tribute to assist in giving the clock tower a new lease of life.”

The refurbished tower was re-dedicated on 8^th September, 2023, one year to the day after Queen Elizabeth’s passing, in a ceremony attended by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Berkshire, Mr James Puxley.

All terrain boom lift

The tower, built as a beacon of hope heralding a second Elizabethan era, contains a clock that dates from 1794 which was made in Newbury and donated by a local family.

The Thatcham Memorial Foundation, which is responsible for the tower, has now launched a fund to maintain it. Early benefactors include local firms Smart Parking and Xtrac, and a Thatcham resident, Stuart Wise.

Star Platforms’ Skyjack SJ46 AJ diesel-powered 4×4 cherry picker has a maximum working height of 16.15m and a maximum outreach of 8.13m, with a lifting capacity of 227kg.

It is one of a wide range of diesel, electric, and hybrid cherry pickers, scissor lifts and personnel masts in the Star Platforms MEWP hire fleet, with working heights ranging from 5.65m to 28m.

Find out more

Donate to the Thatcham Coronation Clocktower maintenance fund by contacting the foundation. Call: 01635 868244. Email: [email protected].

Talk to Star Platforms about MEWP hire. Call 0345 099 7305. Email: [email protected].