Originally Arthur Nice was trained to be a rose grower but World War I put paid to that. After being demobilised from the Army he joined the National Omnibus Co. in 1920 and was the first conductor on a bus from Colchester to Halstead. He progressed to Inspector but decided in 1949 to do what he loved most - clock and watch repairing. This was carried out in his little shop next door to the old Swan public house in the High Street until he was forced to retire in 1961 when the buildings were demolished - now Boots the Chemist. In 1949 Arthur took over the responsibility for maintaining the Town Clock at St. Andrew's church. For over 25 years he climbed the 43 steps up the spiral staircase 4 times a week to the clock chamber to wind up the seperate mechanisms for the time, chimes and strike. The key, which can be seen above, resembled a large starting handle.
