any Leamington people, and people from further afield, look back with fond memories of the floral clock that was in the Jephson Gardens from 1951 until, as far as I know, the mid 1990s. Below is the Leamington Spa Courier report of the handover and a number of images of the clock itself.
The handing over of the Floral Clock took place on Saturday 28th September 1951 – the closing day of the Festival of Illuminations.
The Leamington Spa Courier dated 5th October 1951 reported: – The floral clock in the Jephson Gardens, presented by Mr. George Purcell in memory of his first wife’s work during his mayoralty, was formally handed over by the donor on Saturday morning.
The gift was received on behalf of the townspeople by the Mayor [Ald. O. R. Davidson] who was accompanied by members of the Corporation, officials and friends of the late Mrs. Purcell.
Making the presentation, Mr. Purcell said that during the past summer the Jephson Gardens had caught something of the magic charm and enchantment expressed in Shakespeare’s play, “The Tempest”. It had not been an isle of voices, but an isle of changing lights which had given pleasure to hundreds of thousands who were seeing the gardens in a new and magic guise.”
“It must be of great satisfaction to you, Mr. Mayor, to find the vision you held and persisted in come true,” he said. “This clock itself is a tribute to the skill of the horologist and the gardener. The clock itself is made by the firm which built that at Westminster – Big Ben – and is guaranteed to an accuracy of three seconds weekly. Those who have seen it will agree that Mr. Ingle, Mr. Grey, Mr. Hotston and their staff have done a wonderful job in the laying out and planting under most difficult and trying circumstances.”
“Many people will see the name inscribed on the tablet. She needs no monument or stone or enduring bronze to keep her memory fresh and clear in the hearts of those who loved her – and that must surely be everyone who knew her. She loved beauty in all its forms, but nothing more that the beauty of flowers and trees. It would be, and I think it is a joy to her to know that, through her instrumentality, there has been added an adornment to these Jephson Gardens.”
“Leamington and Leamington’s local politics have been the subject of fierce controversy over many years. Strong opinions have been strongly held by strong men, but I like to think that these Jephson Gardens have been, and always will be, a cause of unity for Leamington people – a centre of unity, of beauty and delight.”
“It is now more than 25 years since my dear wife Sally and I saw the clock in Princes Gardens, Edinburgh, when we said we hoped such an enrichment would be added to Jephson Gardens. It gives me great pleasure to find that wish fulfilled to-day.”
Thanking Mr. Purcell, the Mayor said they had been much moved by his speech. The clock had already given pleasure to many since being installed, and he had heard it described as the most beautiful in the country.
Of the illuminations generally, Ald. Davidson said that up to the Friday night, 294,843 had paid for admission, and though many had deplored the weather, he could not help feeling it had been merciful. “This clock will recall memories of the past and encourage us to redeem the passing moments so that the future may be enriched by present endeavours,” he said. “While man is mortal, beauty in all its forms is immortal.”
Acknowledgments
Special thanks to Peter and Janet Coulls and
Leamington Spa Courier
Photographs from Peter Coulls, Frank James, Derek Billings, Phil Doughty, Leamington History Group and my collection.
Allan Jennings, April 2026