Thanks to the recent regeneration of Torquay’s harbourfront, the Mallock Memorial on the Strand has become a much more accessible and prominent landmark.
According to research by local history expert Graham Wheatley, this iconic centrepiece has stood proudly for over 120 years.
In a post within the local history Facebook group Undiscovered Torbay, Graham shared four images of the Mallock Memorial as it appeared in late 2024, perched on the corner of Torquay’s newly paved promenade.
Graham wrote: “The Grade II listed Bath-stone Mallock Memorial Clock Tower replaced an ornamental lamp that had been erected in Hotel Square in 1887 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria.”
The clock tower was built to commemorate the life and contributions of Richard Mallock, who died in June 1900 while cycling in Scotland.
Mr Mallock, whose family owned Cockington Village and resided at Cockington Court, was a significant local figure.
He represented Torquay in Parliament from 1886 to 1895 and served as a magistrate for many years.
Funded through public subscription, the memorial was completed in 1902 at a cost of £900 by the distinguished builders Bovey & Son, located on Victoria Parade, Torquay.
After reviewing approximately 60 designs for the memorial, the selected design was created by architect John Donkin, a Londoner who later settled in Bournemouth.
Originally, the 45-foot tower was illuminated externally by three incandescent electric lights, each with a brightness of 150 candlepower. However, this design choice was not universally popular at the time.
Some critics described it as “a sort of mania for treating electricity as a kind of fetish to be exhibited,” arguing that the structure was primarily a memorial and, secondarily, a clock tower.
According to the historical website Devon Heritage, the tower has shown signs of wear for many years, likely due to the relatively soft nature of Bath stone. Attempts to address the decay of its carvings were made in 1967 and again in 1984, but traffic fumes and salt air continue to take their toll on the structure.
Commenting on the memorial’s current state, Paul Mason noted beneath the Facebook post: “I don’t understand why it has been left in such a grotty state when all around it is new and shiny.”
Another user, Mike Cresser, shared what he claims was a response from a council representative regarding the lack of recent cleaning: “I was advised by SWISCo that cleaning of the stonework did take place 10 years ago, and this work lasts about 20 years, so it is not yet due to be done again. I am told that stonework should not be cleaned too often. If you look at major monuments, that is the case.”
This claim has not been independently verified.
Referencing the ornamental lamp that the clock tower replaced, Mike Bennett explained: “For those followers who don’t know, the ‘ornamental lamp,’ which had been languishing in Torbay Council stores, was refurbished and installed in Fore Street, St. Marychurch precinct, opposite the Dolphin PH.”
Highlighting other related landmarks, Justin Crook commented: “You will see the founding modern family’s heads represented in Cockington Court. Mallock is one…”
Meanwhile, Tasch Scobie remarked: “It will be nice for New Year’s. Hope they still fence it off, as some muppet will try to climb it.”
The state of Torquay’s public clocks sparked a lively debate in the comments, beginning with this observation from Joy Praill: “In our town, with a person in charge of Pride in Torbay, we had a Town Hall clock, a Post Office roundabout clock (the Old Town Hall), and the Mallock clock. Twelve clock faces, and up until a week or two ago, not one had been working for years! Not one clock telling the time! A lot of government money poured into Torbay, but the little (not too little!) things are permanently ignored. No pride whatsoever!”
Responding to this, Undiscovered Torbay clarified: “The Mallock clock, after the passing of the town clock winder (Keith Fursdon), was due to be replaced with an electric mechanism. I believe that has now happened (with funds allocated from the Strand grant for the pedestrianisation), and it should be telling the time again. The Old Town Hall is in private hands; nothing to do with Torbay Council anymore. We don’t know what’s happening with the Town Hall clock at the time of writing. However, it was reported in July 2024 that, regarding the other clocks the council is responsible for, there were no available funds for their restoration.”
In remembrance of the late clock winder, Mike Bennett added: “Keith Fursden wound several public clocks in Torquay, as well as Mallock Tower; he looked after the Town Hall clock and Mary Magdalene Church. He had a lovely tenor singing voice and was a keen bell ringer. He is greatly missed.”
