Mass-Observation Archive receives timely gift

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The Mass-Observation project documents the lives of more than 3,000 ordinary people all over the UK. Its unique collection of diaries, photos, leaflets, newspaper cuttings and posters is held in the Library and is visited every year by hundreds of researchers. Staff in the archive had a slight problem, as archivist Dorothy Sheridan explains: "Our researchers often get so immersed in what they are reading that they lose track of time and we can't get them out at closing time."

As luck would have it, one of the archive's regular correspondents, retired lorry driver Bob Rust, wished to give a donation in memory of his late wife. Bob has been a volunteer correspondent since 1981, recording his everyday life for use by the historians of the future. "It is something that has given me great pleasure, as I enjoy writing. Leslie always took a great interest in what I was doing. Depending on the topic, we would often spend some time discussing what I was going to write: if she had any ideas on it or how I intended to approach that particular theme. She gave me the female slant on things."

The couple were married for 40 years. "I know Leslie will live on in my memory", said 65-year-old Bob, "but I wanted a little bit more than that. She had no time for stones and memorials, but she was always a practical person, so I thought, what better than something useful - not only useful, but connected with a project in which we both had an interest."

Dorothy had been impressed by the work of Brighton designer Cath Arlidge (together with her partner Marcus Laffan) on the new copper and oak sculpture seats in the Library foyer, so she commissioned Cath to design and make a clock specially for the Mass-Observation Archive reading room.

Just before Christmas, Bob Rust travelled from his home near Basildon, in Essex, to present the archive with the finished clock, which is shaped like an eye (to signify 'observation'). The words 'Mass-Observation' are etched into its flame-like eyelashes and the green iris of the clock face is made of verdigris copper.

Although it does not chime, the piece is a striking addition to the archive's reading room and will certainly help researchers to keep an eye on the time.

Bob Rust (left) and Dorothy Sheridan (from the Mass-Observation Archive) with the clock in the shape of an eye to signify 'observation'.