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Nottinghamshire pupil gets name of Victoria Centre's Emett Clock

Nottinghamshire pupil gets name of Victoria Centre's Emett Clock

One lucky youngster has seen their name engraved onto the iconic Emett Clock, as part of a creative competition run by Nottingham’s Victoria Centre.

Launched to celebrate the 50th birthday of Nottingham’s leading shopping centre, over 70 primary schools and young residents across Nottinghamshire were invited to submit a design for a new butterfly to join the others that can already be found on the timepiece.

Over 800 submissions were received and 100 designs were shortlisted by former engineer, Pete Dexter, who has helped maintain the clock for years, and centre director, Nigel Wheatley.

The winning design was created by eleven year-old David Weglinski from Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Catholic Primary Academy in Bulwell, and features a geometrical pattern filled with vibrant colours.

As well as taking home a hamper full of toys from The Entertainer worth £100, David’s winning design has been built into a new information plaque that now sits in front of the newly-refurbished clock on the upper mall. His name will also be engraved onto a special golden butterfly to mark the centre’s anniversary, at a later date.

Visitors to the centre can view the renovated clock, featuring the chosen design, on the upper mall and are invited to make penny wishes in the pool at the base of the clock, where contributions will go towards Victoria Centre’s latest charity partner, Hope Nottingham.

Commenting on the winning design, Nigel Wheatley, centre director at Victoria Centre, said:

“When we invited people to submit their memories of the centre last year, we had hundreds of responses about the role the Emett Clock has played in the centre’s history. Not only is it an excellent example of innovation in the early ‘70s, importantly, it has been a focal point for many lives; a meeting place for friends and family, and a well-known Nottingham ‘landmark’.

“While we’ve used much of this last year to reflect on the past, it’s also given us great cause to look ahead. For that reason, it’s been a real joy to see so many members of the younger community getting involved in its future, by making their mark – literally – on the clock’s legacy.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has taken part in the competition, and hats off to David for his truly unique design which will now forever be a feature on the already iconic timepiece for years to come. Here’s to making new memories and celebrating the Emett Clock over the next five decades and beyond.”   

For more information on Victoria Centre and its 50th birthday celebrations, visit www.victoria-centre.com or follow Victoria Centre’s social media channels – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.


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