Unique soundscape clock pays homage to Hayes' musical heritage
Tuesday 12 September 2023: Shoppers in Hayes will soon be greeted by hourly sounds of local people after a unique new sound clock was installed at the entrance to Station Approach this autumn.
The striking new feature will honour the work of Alan Dower Blumlein, an extraordinary sound engineer who, whilst working at EMI in Hayes, pioneered audio recording methods to create stereo sounds that changed the music and film industry forever.
Designed by architects The Decorators and fabricated by The White Wall Company, the clock has an eye-catching LED display and is made of the same gold-anodised aluminium as the iconic 'Gold Disc' canopy at the junction of Botwell Lane and Station Road.
Local business Owen Coyle Anodising Ltd based in Blyth Road coated its panels with a durable weather-resistant coating. Special permission was given by the Cabinet Office for it to also be inscribed in honour of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee.
Installation of the new clock was marked by a visit from the Mayor of Hillingdon, Cllr Shehryar Ahmad-Wallana, and Cllr Eddie Lavery, Cabinet Member for Residents' Services on Tuesday 12 September.
Cllr Lavery, said: "We're delighted with this stunning new addition to Hayes Town Centre that not only pays welcome tribute to the rich musical heritage of the town but adds a quite remarkable and noteworthy new feature to the townscape.
"The use of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's name is closely protected, so it is a great honour for Hayes and for our entire borough and furthers the cultural value of this new addition."