Museum makes a timely change to help broaden its appeal to visitors

A museum is hoping a change of name will help to broaden its appeal.

From today, the museum at the British Horological Institute will become The Museum of Timekeeping.

The website and branding will officially change ahead of a more prominent launch when the museum re-opens to the public in spring.

The institute itself will not be changing its name.

Museum manager Mrs Eleanor Baumber said the name change was one of the ways they were looking to broaden their appeal.

“There is a lot of change going on behind the scenes at the moment,” she said.

“The trustees have been looking at ways to improve the experience for clock and watch enthusiasts, as well as people who might find it interesting.

“One of the changes is the name. When you hear someone say horological, it doesn’t mean a lot to people unless you have an active interest and know what it means.

“Similarly, the word institute makes it seem like you have to belong to something and have to become a member, which isn’t the case.

“After a lot of discussions we decided to go with something that could be what it says on the tin and came up with The Museum of Timekeeping."

'These events give a chance to get that bit of insight'

Among key pieces at the museum are the time-piece from Captain Scott’s ill-fated expedition to the Antarctic, and the first three speaking clocks.

Artefacts from as early as the 17th Century help to make up more than 2,000 pieces in the museum.

The museum opened to the public last week for Winter Winding Wednesday, an event that showcased some of the more prominent clocks being wound.

More than 50 people attended the event, which also included talks on the history of some of the pieces and a behind-the-scenes look at the museum.

“We close the museum in the winter for practical reasons but we know there are people out there who don’t want to wait six months to come and visit,” Mrs Baumber said.

“People often ask us about advice on how to care for clocks and these events give a chance to get that bit of insight.”

Older style time-pieces need winding to compress a spring located inside the device, which helps to store energy and power the clocks.

The next Winter Winding Wednesday is on February 21 from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

The cost is £5 per person. Entry is free for under-12s.