The clock is 16 metres wide, weighs 4 tonnes, and is believed to be one of Britain's biggest animated feature clocks. At one end of a massive wrought iron gantry sits a large frog, at the other, a forge, making golden balls of sunshine. The balls are placed onto a pendulum fixed to a wheel. Every three minutes the wheel moves along the gantry delivering the balls of energy to the frog. A hammer smacks the ball into the clock housing, and it emerges, cascading down an escapement before returning back into the clock. Musical sequences are heard in the background and on the hour, the frog's eyes light up and he blows bubbles onto the crowd below, as a lily-pad spreads out behind him.
It took several months to construct from a concept by author Kit Williams, and is reminiscent of the work of the great Victorian engineers. Our engineers have worked tirelessly on the installation, but this amazing timepiece completes the living gallery here at Midsummer Place.
For further information about the superb public art all around the city centre visit our Art Trail on MKWeb
