A RARE piece of Welsh clock-making heritage from a Newtown maker is set to go on display in a Powys museum – after making the long journey from Texas, USA.

The long case clock made by John Tibbott is now proudly on display in the Powysland Museum, Welshpool, after a retired US army general from Texas, who was formerly stationed in the UK, contacted the Welsh National Museum earlier this year.

Maker John Tibbott was born in Llanfair Caereinion and settled in Newtown in c.1777 as a clock and watch maker as well as farmer remaining there for 30 years. He moved to Llanbrynmair, where he died in 1820 and is buried in the local churchyard. It is believed that he invented the free pendulum but it is thought that the Royal Society of Arts refuted his claim when he brought it to their attention in 1816.

Lieutenant Colonel Krieger said his father had collected a number of clocks and other items while he was stationed at Lakenheath RAF/USAF Base in Bury St Edmonds in the early 1960s. When he returned to the USA in 1965 he took over 50 clocks with him including the John Tibbott clock, which was passed to Don Krieger in 2002. But now he says: “My wife and I are now retired and since this is a valuable piece from a historic perspective, we want only that it be returned as part of the Welsh heritage and be cared for appropriately.

“Powysland Museum is absolutely delighted to receive this clock,” said a spokesperson.

“The museum is most grateful to Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Don Krieger and his wife Carleen Krieger for their most generous donation and to the Welsh Government through the Museums, Archives and Libraries Division; and the Federation of Museums and Art Galleries of Wales for the grant that enabled the museum to acquire the clock.” said a spokesperson for Powysland Museum.

The Powysland Museum is open weekdays, except Wednesday from 11am to 1pm and from 2pm to 5pm and on Saturdays from 11am to 2pm.