G. & F. Cope
G. & F. Cope Ltd was a clockmaking company based in Nottingham, England from 1845 to 1984.
History
Two brothers, George and Francis Cope founded the company in 1845. They took over the turret clock business of Reuben Bosworth. (Reuben Bosworth continued to manufacture turret and domestic clocks).
Their initial factory was in Holden Street and they had offices on Gregory Street[1] then Alfreton Road[2] but in 1937 they moved to Portland Road. In 1945 they moved again to Prospect Place in Lenton, where the company remained until it was absorbed by Smith of Derby Group.
The company was responsible for most of the public clocks in Nottingham, and also many further afield. As innovative manufacturers, the firm produced chronometers for the Admiralty as well as fine tower clocks and chimes.
Owners
- George and Francis Cope 1845 – 1899
- William Cope 1899 – 1922
- William W Cope 1922 –
- Richard Cope and David Cope
Notable Cope Clocks
- St. Laurence's Church, Norwell
- St Swithun's Church, Woodborough 1854 (installed 1856)
- St Peter's Church, Nottingham 1850s
- Holy Cross Church, Ossington 1860s
- St Mary's Church, Ilkeston 1864
- All Saints' Church, Cotgrave, 1865
- Holy Cross Church, Epperstone 1865
- St Michael's Church, Laxton 1865
- St Mary's Church, Eastwood 1866
- St. Peter and St. Paul's Church, Shelford 1880
- Nottingham Exchange 1881, moved to St Helen's Church, Trowell in 1927
- St Andrew's Church, Eakring, 1887
- St Mary's Church, Plumtree 1889 (removed in 2009)
- St. Andrew's Church, Langar
- St Mary's Church, Keyworth
- St. Wilfrid's Church, Kirkby-in-Ashfield 1911
- All Saints' Church, Mattersey 1921
- All Saints' Church, Rempstone 1920s
- St Luke's Church, Shireoaks
- Nottingham Council House 1926 (the loudest clock bell in the United Kingdom)[3]
- Lever House, Blackfriars, London
- St. Christopher's Church, Sneinton
- St Mary's Church, Nottingham 1932 (the first all electric winding and chiming clock produced by the company)
- Lewis and Grundy Clock, Victoria Street, Nottingham