A horology club formed in 2005 in West Essex with a workshop and offering instruction and help in clock and watch making and repair.
A group of enthusiasts established the Epping Forest Horology Club, EFHC, to provide facilities and instruction formerly offered by Epping Forest College in Loughton, Essex, following the closure of their practical horology classes. Facilities include specialist tools and equipment and the weekly workshop sessions are suitable for those interested in the practical side of horology from expert enthusiasts to complete beginners.
The venture is supported by
The British Horological Institute and is an approved BHI examination centre
The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers
The club is an honorary member of The British Watch and Clock Makers Guild .
The information below was last updated June 2009
CONTACT
Telephone 0844 251 0345
E-mail secretary(at)efhc.org.uk
Please type in the @ symbol without any spaces in place of (at). Our apologies but this and the absence of a link are intended to thwart automated scanning for addresses to be used for spam. Please note that this address is NEVER used for messages or replies and anything purporting to come from the club this way is fraudulent. If you do not get at least an acknowledgement of e-mail within a couple of days please telephone or try again, the spam filtering may be too aggressive.
*EXTRA FACILITIES*
The club continues to flourish and expand and will have additional facilities and be offering more sessions from September. A new workshop for watchmakers is presently being equipped and extra sessions are being organised. Some details are below while more will be offered in the near future and listed on this site as soon as available.
FACILITIES
Epping Forest Horology Club (EFHC) has a 59 sq metre (640 sq ft) fully equipped clockmaking workshop with 12 work benches, 6 clockmaking lathes, watchmakers lathes, 3 milling machines, 3 pillar drills, wheel cutting engine, pantograph engraving machine, clock and watch cleaning and timing equipment etc. and a wide range of hand and specialist tools. A 50 sq metre (540 sq ft) workshop for watchmaking with a 20 seat lecture room will be added in September equipped with audio and video aids for use when teaching, 12 watchmakers' benches, watch cleaning and timing equipment and a range of specialist watchmaking tools. However we do recommend that members provide themselves with a basic toolkit for either clock or watch making and we can suggest suitable starter kits.
LOCATION
-BY ROAD: The workshop is located near Epping in Essex (just North East of London, England) approximately 10 km (7 miles) from M25 Junction 26 or 8 km (5 miles) from M11 either Junction 7 (southbound) or Junction 5 (northbound)
-BY TRAIN: London Underground Central Line to Epping then take a taxi approximately 5km (3 miles)
ACTIVITIES
An instructor is present at the workshop sessions to provide help on any aspect of making or repairing clocks or watches. The format of each session is 'hands on' rather than formal lectures which are organised separately.
The majority of members learn practical skills on clocks or watches of their own which need servicing, repair or restoration while some make clocks.
Members taking the British Horological Institute Distance Learning Course can work through the practical exercises in the weekday sessions and/or attend the theory lessons on Saturdays. Those working for formal BHI qualifications can use the club facilities to make test pieces or generate records of repairs and also sit the BHI examinations locally since we are an approved BHI examination centre.
Additional short duration courses of one, two or three days are organised from time to time on special topics, e.g. platform escapement overhaul, hand engraving, watchmakers' lathe work with hand gravers etc. These courses are open to members and are at substantially lower rates than others available.
PROGRAMME
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons clockmaking 2.00pm to 6.00pm.
Monday and Tuesday evenings clockmaking 6.30pm to 9.00pm
Thursday evenings watchmaking 6.30pm to 9.00pm
We have 12 workbenches in each workshop so limit the number in each session.
Our 'year' is divided into three terms and now totals 40 weeks. The dates for the 2009/10 year are:-
Autumn Term
Start week commencing Monday 14th September 2009
Finish week ending Friday 18th December 2009
Spring Term
Start week commencing Monday 4th January 2010
Finish week ending Friday 26th March 2010
Summer Term
Start week commencing Monday 12th April 2010
Finish week ending Friday 16th July 2010
Theory lessons on Saturdays are expected to commence in January 2010 with a view to preparing students for the BHI examinations in May 2010
The workshop is closed from mid July to mid September.
ACCESS
Potential members with disabilities are invited to contact the club to discuss their needs.
FEES
Session fees are the same as last year.
Membership Joining Fee £60 (this is a non refundable lifetime membership fee)
It is acceptable to join for short courses or theory lessons only.
Afternoon Sessions £350 per year (Monday, Tuesday or Thursday)
Evening Sessions £220 per year (Monday, Tuesday or Thursday)
Fees will be reduced for those joining later for less than 3 terms
The fee for the courses of theory lessons will be advised along with other details in due course
LINKS
We believe these websites may be helpful to others with similar interests to ourselves but we do not necessarily support all of the views expressed on them. The club cannot be held liable for any viruses somebody might pick up if they take the links.
The British Horological Institute The Examining Body for Horologists including a wealth of information available to members
The Antiquarian Horological Society Promotes the study of clocks and watches and the history of time measurement
The St Albans Clock Club A club for both amateur and professional clockmakers which organises monthly lectures and other activities.
The club is grateful to the following businesses for their assistance but the links are offered without intending any endorsement by the club.Clocks magazine The monthly magazine for clock collectors, repairers and makers worldwide
Robert B Loomes FBHIAntique clock restoration and repairs including painted dial restoration
Quicktest supply small tools and materials for the watch or clock maker or jeweller. They also have a link to the Uxbridge and Midlands Clock Fairs