In 1852 Louis Napoleon proclaimed a second French Empire and the first public toilets were opened in London. Meanwhile in Ross-on-Wye, a town clock was bought and put in place by public subscription on the Market House.

The clock has seen 157 years tick past but the town has been strangely silent since October last year when the clock collapsed taking away the winding mechanism and the hourly chimes. Ross Civic Society donated the money to rebuild the clock but estimates for the repair of the chimes have needed special attention due to the high cost.

Herefordshire County Council agreed to pay for half the cost and the Association of Ross Traders (A.R.T.) has volunteered to help raise the balance of £3,000 - but they need your help.

A spokesman said: "We don't want to experience another Remembrance Day with no clock chimes at 11am. and some may have experienced the confusion on New Year's Eve when the assembled crowd didn't know when the new year had begun! Let's give the heartbeat back to Ross-on-Wye and hear those old friendly chimes ring out again on the hour, every hour."

The 'Time To Chime' appeal has been launched to mend the chimes. If you would like to help please contact David Bruce at Pots and Pieces Teashop, 40 High Street. If you would like to give a personal donation, cheques should be made payable to 'Association of Ross Traders' and sent or handed in to the above address.

But ART is also appealing to all groups in the - schools, clubs, choirs, mum's groups, youth groups, scout and cub groups, cadets, girl guides, pubs, keep fit groups and anyone else interested in our town. If every person in Ross gave just 32p they would have enough to get it mended, so look out for the 'Time To Chime' collection boxes and buckets and help wherever you can to let the bell ring out and put the character back in this lovely market town.