Kettering clock spire crashes on to pavement during Storm Boelo
Part of Kettering’s controversial clocktower ‘spire’ was blown down by a gust on Sunday (October 25) as Storm Boelo blew through the county.
As winds of up to 70mph were recorded across Northamptonshire, a Kettering town shopper was shocked when the tower topper crashed to the pavement next to him.
The 2ft white plastic triangular pyramid shattered on the ground, with shards spreading across the pedestrian area.
Local councillor Liane Robinson said: “Although the clock has always been controversial with the people of Kettering, I am saddened to see it broken. Thank goodness that it happened at a quiet time and no-one was hurt.”
Measuring 27ft tall, the clock was commissioned in 2005 by Kettering Huxloe and the Rotary Clubs of Kettering to celebrate 100 years of the Rotary Club International.
The passer-by said they watched the part fall to the ground but was happy that ‘nobody else was around, including the pigeons’.
One local review of the clock called it a ‘tall, shiny metal shard that looks like it crash-landed from a modern art exhibition and decided to stay’.
They also describe it as a ‘conversation starter, an opinion divider and a permanent pigeon nightclub’.
North Northants Council has been contacted for a statement.