Beatrix Potter's book about a little wood mouse named Mrs Thomasina Tittlemouse tells the story of her efforts to keep her house in order, which is something that I have been endeavouring to do, but very slowly - hence my absence.
Currently a controversial object in our small town is this black boy statue which has graced one of the building for exactly 250 years.
The building, once a school, is now privately owned, and the little statue rings the bell on the hour.
The black boy clock was made by a local clockmaker in 1774, and is the only clock with what is known as a Jacquemart clock movement in the county of Gloucestershire.
Jacquemarts are usually part of clocks or clocktowers, and are often near or at the top of a construction. The figurine is also known as Jack of the Clock or Jack o'Clock.
Many people are calling for it to be removed, but is that actually an endeavour to wipe the slate clean and not acknowledge the awful facts and history surrounding the influence of slavery and colonialism? The current situation is that because the clock is attached to what is now a private dwelling, the local council's powers to take action are limited.
