The Anguilla Native Stone, that adorns a number of private and public buildings on the island, including the House of Assembly – as well as to produce awards – is now being used for the manufacture of Anguilla Rock Clocks. They are a just-started collection of attractive time pieces of various sizes and shapes with naturally ingrained stone colours.
The manufacturers are Mr. Lowell Hodge; his wife, Mrs. Althea Hodge; and their son, Omar, of Shoal Bay. It is a brand new project for the family, another being the well-established and beautifully-designed Alo Residences, just east of their dwelling house.
Mrs. Hodge, who invited The Anguillian newspaper to see the collection, was the main spokesperson. “This is rock that we got from Cleophas Gumbs of Anguilla Native Stone,” she explained. “It is an idea that we had for some time now. Each clock is unique and is from a different piece of rock. The idea is to have the product in such a way that it looks a kind of rustic and very natural.
“We have different colour hands and numbers on the clocks. It is a project that we have been toying with from earlier in the year – and over the last couple of months we have gone full speed ahead to roll out a number of the clocks. Right now, we have probably about twenty completed and a few more are in different stages of production.”
“Where did the family get their manufacturing experience?” Mrs. Hodge was asked.
“Put it this way,” she replied. “For the most part Lowell, myself and Omar have always been working on projects; sharing ideas; and being practical. Overtime, we discuss a number of things and do a lot of research on different aspects; and, when an idea comes to mind, we discuss it, do the research and take it from there.”
Officially, Mrs. Hodge is the Manager of the Anguilla Development Board, but works on the family’s projects in her private capacity along with her husband and son, amidst considerable shaving dust. “For this production, we had to get special equipment in order for us to do some of the cutting of the rock and we were able to do a lot more,” she told the newspaper.
Asked about a market for the Anguilla Rock Clocks, she stated: “For the most part, we will initially deal on a personal basis – so if there are individuals who need to have one or more clocks, they should approach us. Our idea is that persons can have something in their home or office that is practical and made from local material. In addition, persons visiting Anguilla can also have something to take back with them. Anguillians living overseas can also have such a clock.
“We have three time zones on the clocks. We have our local time zone, the UK time zone, and the Pacific time zone. That is how we have it set up but individuals, having such a clock, can set it to what particular time zone they wish. We may have a few with two time zones for persons who travel to Anguilla or even if they are Anguillians travelling outside the island. For example, if you are in the UK you can set your clock at UK time and you can also have the Anguilla time.”
Mrs. Hodge added: “We see quite a few opportunities with the clocks and we plan to use the name ‘Anguilla Rock Clock’ – that’s ARC.”
The clock collections are beautifully mounted on a circular-like table adorned with the National Colours of Anguilla, with a curtain of the same patriotic colours in the background. The display is in an entrance corner of the family’s residence in full view of visitors.
It is estimated that the clocks are available at between 80 US dollars and 120 US dollars.
