Help Using the Site

How Stopped Clocks Works

Stopped Clocks is a community platform where people document, research, and discuss stopped public clocks across the UK. The site combines crowd-sourced photography with automated location detection and research tools.

Posting a New Clock

When you find a stopped clock, you can document it for the community. The site will automatically extract location data from your photos and create a detailed post.

1. Create your account. Register for a free account to post clocks and access research features.
2. Take quality photos. Capture clear images of the stopped clock from multiple angles. Include some of the building or surrounding area for context. Pro tip: enable location services on your phone so GPS data is embedded in your photos.
3. Upload and describe. Use the “Post a Clock” button to upload your photos. Add a title, description, and any details you know about the clock or building.
4. Add tags and details. Use the tag system to categorize your clock (e.g. “church”, “town hall”, “station”). This helps others find similar clocks.
5. Research and enhance. After posting, use the “Clock Details” feature on individual clock pages to automatically gather information about the building, its history, and architectural details.

Research and Analysis Features

The site includes automated tools to gather detailed information about each clock and its building.

“Clock Details” research

After posting a clock, you can automatically research:

• Building information and historical context
• Architectural details and style analysis
• Local significance and heritage data
• Related historical events and context

Editing and collaboration

Logged-in users can edit and improve the research data:

• Click edit buttons next to specific data fields
• Add your own knowledge and corrections
• All edits are tracked with attribution
• Help build the most comprehensive database possible

Comments and discussion

Add comments to share additional information:

• Historical details you know about the clock or building
• Personal memories and local stories
• Updates if the clock has been fixed or changed
• Corrections or additional context

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Map and navigation

Map won’t load or appears blank. Allow location access when prompted, refresh the page, or check your internet connection — the map needs to load map tiles.

Can’t see clock markers on the map. Try zooming in or out, or use the search box to find clocks in a specific area. Some areas may have fewer clocks than others.

Upload and posting

Can’t post a clock. Make sure you’re logged in. If you don’t have an account, click “Register” in the top menu to create one.

Photos won’t upload (especially on Android Chrome). Look for the “Help” button when uploading, press the ellipsis (⋯) in the image picker, and select ‘Browse’ to access your photos.

Location not detected from photos. Make sure location services are enabled on your phone when taking photos. You can also manually enter the location when posting.

Research and analysis

“Clock Details” not working. Make sure you’re logged in. The research process can take several minutes — check back after a few minutes to see if results have appeared.

Can’t edit research data. You need to be logged in to edit information. Look for edit buttons next to specific data fields on clock detail pages.

General

Page looks broken or features don’t work. Try refreshing the page, clearing your browser cache, or using a different browser. Check your internet connection.

Can’t find a specific clock. Try different search terms, check if it might be listed under a different name, or browse the map view to explore by location.

Need More Help?

If you’re still having trouble, email us at alfie@stoppedclocks.org — tell us what you were trying to do and what went wrong.