It was the result of a fundraising effort, set up at breakneck speed by former Dunstable councillor Bill Stevens, to provide a fitting monument to commemorate the new century.
A committee of local people, headed by Eric Fountain of Vauxhall and Dennis Keech, chairman of ACD Tridon of Dunstable, organised an appeal to raise £80,000 to build the clock tower.
It had the wholehearted backing of the Dunstable Gazette and generated a large number of donations from local organisations and individuals.
Frank Porthouse provided a design featuring numerous local themes and the Leighton Buzzard firm of EDF prefabricated the metal structure in its small workshop.
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Then came the anxious early-morning moments when the huge components arrived by lorry and a small crowd gathered to see if it all fitted into place.
But the jigsaw’s measurements were perfect!
> Yesteryear is compiled by John Buckledee, chairman of Dunstable and District Local History Society