Watch mender Geoff clocks off (From Gazette & Herald)

Watch mender Geoff clocks off

ONE of Malton's oldest businesses is to close at the end of the month with the retirement of Geoff Wales who has run a watch and clock repair business in The Shambles for 34 years.

He only entered the business because an accident causing a serious arm injury out paid to his chosen career as a plumber.

As a result he re-trained and saw a new opportunity for a career when he got a job working for a Kirkbymoorside pigeon clock business.

It coincided with his lifelong interest in pigeon racing, and after learning the skills of repairing the intricate time clocks, decided to set up his owner enterprise.

Over the years he has repaired clocks and watches for customers from as far away as the United States as well as from all parts of Britain. "If it's got wheels I can mend it," he says. But now he admits that his eyeseight is just beginning to fail.

Brought up in Slingsby, he lived in Malton for many years until he and his wife moved to Thorne near Doncaster. He has been running his corner shop in The Shambles for three days a week recently, fitting in the work with his pigeon racing. "I took it up because I wasn't able to play other sports because of my arm injury," explained 70-year-old Mr Wales.

Today he has 54 top birds and is a keen long distance competitor. He proudly boasts that he still holds a record he set up in 1991 when he had a bird which completed an 864 mile flight from Palamos in Spain, back home, averaging 33mph. In addition, he has won scores of other trophies over the years.

But the threat of bird flu coming into Britain has cast uncertainty over his plans to take part in club competitions flying birds from France back to Thorne.

Mr Wales was a member of Malton Pigeon Club for many years and is today a member of the British Barcelona Club and Thorne club.

"I shall be sad to retire from my business because many of my customers have become friends," Mr Wales said.

"I would like to say a very big thank you to all those who have given me support over the years," he added. Mr Wales is also asking anyone who may still have a clock or watch at his shop to contact him.

Updated: 11:16 Wednesday, March 08, 2006