Fixing the Portobello Police Station Clock

The Portobello Police Station clock is now correctly showing the time and chiming again.

On April 11, 2026, a community volunteer responded to a call for help from Action Porty to fix the clock at the recently community-purchased Portobello Police Station. The historic building, originally constructed in 1877, now houses community initiatives. The volunteer, despite a fear of heights, climbed to the clock tower to access the mechanism. They successfully set the time by manually adjusting the hour and minute hands after disengaging a pawl on the drive shaft. The clock's chime mechanism, controlled by a 2001-era PIC microcontroller in a custom control box, was also examined. The volunteer determined that the "advance" button required a sustained press to activate the chime sequence. After confirming the clock showed the correct time and chimed four times at 4 PM, the mission was deemed a success. To address potential noise concerns from neighbors, the chime motor was subsequently disconnected. The group then celebrated their work with a visit to a local pub.

The Portobello Police Station clock mechanism, though updated with electric motors and a 2001-era microcontroller for chime control, has been successfully restored to functionality by community volunteers. This restoration highlights a growing trend of community-led preservation and repurposing of historical buildings, demonstrating that local engagement can revive neglected landmarks. The custom-built control box, while functional, presents an opportunity for future enhancements, such as remote operation or custom chime schedules, reflecting a broader interest in integrating modern technology with heritage structures.

The volunteer's hands-on approach to deciphering the custom chime controller, including understanding its "advance" button functionality and its reliance on the main clock mechanism's "hour trigger" switch, underscores the practical challenges and rewards of maintaining older automated systems. The decision to disable the chime, while resolving immediate community concerns, also opens the door for future discussions on how such heritage features can be managed. The exploration of potential "pub-fuelled enhancements" like remote controls, custom chimes for events, or even integrated lighting, suggests a forward-looking vision for the building that balances historical integrity with contemporary community needs and desires.