The clock was made in 1774 and is possibly one of only twenty examples of a jacquemart in the UK. Originally installed in a watchmakers shop on the High Street, after the death of its then owner in 1834 it was moved to the Duke of York pub in Nelson Street. In 1884 it was moved again to the National School for Girls building, later named Blackboys School.[1]
Blackboys School was closed in the 1960s, becoming a teachers training centre, and in the 1990s converted into residential apartments now called Blackboy House. In 1974 it became a Grade II listed building.[1][2]
Consideration of removal
A report commissioned by the Stroud District Council stated that "Whatever the inspiration or its origins, it has to be remembered that, without a doubt, the boy's image came directly or indirectly through the influence of slavery and colonialism".[3] In a subsequent consultation, 78% of the 1,680 respondents stated that the figurine should be removed, with 59% wishing it to be moved to a museum.[4] In April 2022 the council recommended that consultation with the owner should start to progress its removal, and listed building consent for removal to a museum be sought.[5][6] However an article in The Spectator argued that the figurine should "rightfully remain on his much deserved perch",[7] while local MP Siobhan Baillie also opposed the clock's removal, saying that she felt that it was important to leave all statues to "reflect our country's journey in the 20th and 21st centuries toward equality", but supported adding "factual information" to the statue to provide education.[8]
