Historic clock stolen decades ago and thought lost forever returns to Bury St Edmunds

A historic clock stolen from a Bury St Edmunds museum more than 50 years ago is back on display in the town.

The Drum Clock was taken during a break-in at the former Clock Museum at 1 Angel Corner in 1964.

The irreplaceable item, made in Prague in 1540 and part of the Gershom Parkington collection, was thought to be lost forever.

However, earlier this year an auction house contacted West Suffolk Council to say they had been offered the clock to sell.

The authority was able to claim it back after negotiating a settlement fee of £4,000 from the Gershom Parkington bequest with the current owner.

It is now back on display in Bury St Edmunds at Moyse’s Hall Museum, where all but two of the 162 Gershom Parkington collection of clocks can be seen.

Cllr Joanna Rayner, cabinet member for leisure and culture, said it is the oldest clock in their collection and, after it was stolen, ‘all hope was lost in ever getting it back’.

She thanked the auctioneers for spotting it.