Clocking up the years

Your back-page picture caption (THES, February 20) said "there are no clock restoration courses in south England". This overlooks the well-established course at West Dean College. Taking six students a year, it is the only formal course in the United Kingdom (and possibly the world) that focuses exclusively on the restoration and conservation of historic clocks to the highest standards.

It is run in association with the British Antique Dealers' Association and with the support, inter alia, of the British Horological Institute and the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers. The course is validated at postgraduate level by the University of Sussex.

We have been training some of this country's leading clock restorers and conservators for 24 years and the course benefits from running alongside other full-time courses in the conservation of metals, furniture, ceramics and books.

David Leigh. Principal. West Dean College