Geoffrey Walker was presented with his award by Viscount Linley at the Royal Warrant Holders lunch in London, June 8.
Geoffrey (51) has been fascinated by clocks and watches since he was a boy and would have liked to have become a clock repairer when he left school aged 16 but became an instrument maker.
He gave up his career four years ago after 32 years to study on the British Horology Institute’s technical horology degree course at City College in Manchester. In his first year he jointly won first prize for the highest marks in the country and he was also awarded prizes by the Manchester branch of the BHI in his second and final year. He was a finalist in the Clockmaker of the Year competition sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers and is currently attending a business course to prepare himself for future self employment. He now repairs clocks and performs surgery on parts for other clock repairers.
Queen Elizabeth Scholarships, endowed by the Royal Warrant Holders Association, are designed to advance education in modern and traditional crafts and trades in the UK and are open to men and women of all ages. Scholarships are awarded twice a year.
Time comes for clockmaker
AN instrument maker from Manchester, who switched careers four years ago to become a clockmaker, has won a £13,250 Queen Elizabeth Scholarship to attend a specialist clock restoration course.
