BUILDING

The tower was erected in 1904 by members of the Pembrokeshire Liberal Association as a memorial to the 4th Baron Kensington. The complete tower stands 30 ft (9m.) high and was built of locally quarried stone to a design showing influences of the Arts and Crafts Movement. The roof is pyramid shaped with a bell cast overhang. The slates are fixed to internal sarking boards which may reflect

some Scottish influence in the Tower's design. The louvred panels surrounding the clock face allow the sound of the bell to be heard throughout the village.

MECHANISM

The Turret Clock was made by J.W.Benson Ltd. of Ludgate Hill, London, in 1903. They also supplied the four copper faces and the 1cwt. bell. The clock has an hour-striking movement with a dead beat escapement. The clock is driven by weights and has a long pendulum.

BUILDERS

The tower was erected under the supervision of Mr John Ferguson, Agent to the St Brides Estate. Mr Harry Edwards, as Estate mason, built the walls. He lived across the road and also built several village houses. Mr William Lewis, Estate carpenter, was probably responsible for the woodwork and became the clock's first caretaker / winder.

LORD KENSINGTON

Descended from an old Pembrokeshire family through the paternal line and an heiress to valuable land in London, William Edwardes succeeded to the title of Baron Kensington in 1872 at the age of forty-five.

After an army career, he entered political life, being qualified to sit in the House of Commons owing to his Irish peerage. He was elected as member for the Haverfordwest Boroughs seat in 1868, professing the Liberal principles of religious toleration and the extension of male suffrage.

He remained as Haverfordwest M.P. until 1885, when the seat was merged with that of Pembroke. Throughout his time in Parliament, he gave sterling service to the Liberal cause, serving as an assiduous party Whip both in Government, under Gladstone, and in Opposition during Disraeli's Ministry. He also held several Court appointments during his career.

He was created a British peer in 1886 and took his seat in the House of Lords. He also represented the local costituency in the newly-formed Pembrokeshire County Council in 1889, and was Lord Lieutenant of the County for twenty-four years.

He died suddenly while on a shooting holiday in Scotland. The Baron, with his wife and young family, had moved to St Brides in 1880 and he was remembered locally as a generous and fair-minded gentleman, despite a somewhat "taciturn" manner.

LADY KENSINGTON

Grace Elizabeth, the widow of the 4th Baron, was asked by the local Liberal Association to choose a suitable memorial for her late husband. The money for this had been raised by private subscription. Lady Kensington decided on a Clock Tower to be erected in Marloes village, where her husband had been so well respected, and where it would be seen as a reminder of His Lordship's "remarkable punctuality".

Lady Kensington was descended from an aristocratic Scottish family and married in 1867. There were nine children of the marriage, and the family enjoyed happy times at their seaside home, now known as St Brides Castle.

Many of the estate tenants lived in Marloes and Lady Kensington continued her close association with  the village. She supported many charitable causes and was generous and popular with local residents. Her memorial windows can be seen in both Marloes and St Brides churches. She had an interest in needlework and inaugurated a sewing group in the 'Dowager's House' in Marloes. She took an interest in the local school and provided food for the pupils. The brasses in Marloes Church were also donated by her.

She had sailed to Canada to see her son and later died in India in 1910, while on a visit to family there. Her body was brought home for burial alongside that of her husband in St Brides Churchyard.

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