The Brighton station clock . . .

. . . . . has gone, and is greatly missed. Not simply because it is a wonderful object in its own right, which it is; but because we all knew exactly where to look for it and absorb the time with the minimum of delay and visual difficulty. The alternative digital display on the electronic departure board is difficult to locate amongst all the other information provided; and, of course, a digital read-out provides no analogue indication of the time to train departure.

This Victorian clock dates from the days of the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway. One hopes it has just gone for maintenance and its return will not be long delayed.