The first and last thing you ever saw coming into or leaving School was the Clocktower, majestically rising above the dining hall, its clockface lit up, proudly flying the Union Flag. This has been the case for over a hundred years until it was damaged in a storm. Despite repairs, the flag has once again broken away on what is a prominent figure in the landscape, a navigation landmark for sailors arriving at the port of Dover and for locals too, seen from miles around.

It is time to see the flag flying once again on this beautiful Edwardian timekeeper for generations of Dukies, its familiar chimes echoing around the grounds.

The structure is now in need of much greater repair, to ensure that the tower lasts for generations to come. There are multiple issues. Its leading is damaged, water has penetrated the building fabric which has impacted the support infrastructure so this must be strengthened, plus the brickwork and pointing need serious attention. And there’s the flagpole……

So School is asking you to help fly the flag above the Clocktower again in time for Grand Day 2022.

The cost of repairs is estimated at £150,000. £100,000 has already been pledged by leading Dukie donors in the Clocktower Society, a further £25,000 has been pledged by The Dukies’ Foundation (TDF), so the call is now going out to all Dukies. Will you help this down the final straight and get it over the line? The shortfall is approximately £25,000. If 250 Dukies donate in the same way they did to the appeals for the War Memorial and the Dukie Memorial at the National Arboretum, we can complete the funding and start the work immediately.

What would it mean to you to see the flag flying once again, securely, over this icon of our School?  

To Donate to the Clocktower fund click here.

To read in more detail the works to be carried out including photos of damage to the tower click on the link below. 

Detailed works on CT.

If you require further information please contact Rachel at alumni@doyrms.com