Pat Simmons (speaking clock)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pat Simmons (born 1920, died 29 October 2005) was the voice of the UK's speaking clock from 1963 until 1985.
A supervisor at a London telephone exchange, in 1963 Miss Simmons won a £500 competition to replace Jane Cain, whose voice had been used since the service began in 1936.
On 2 April 1985, Pat Simmons' last words on the clock were: "At the third stroke it will be 10:59 and 50 seconds", followed by the voice of Brian Cobby who succeeded her in the job.
In 2000, a project run by the Telecommunications Heritage Group recreated the Pat Simmons speaking clock. This real time, accurate alternative to the BT speaking clock can be heard by calling the following number: 0845 092 8081.
[edit] See also
- Speaking clock
- Ethel Jane Cain, first permanent voice
- Brian Cobby, third permanent voice
- Lenny Henry, comedian, temporary voice
- Alicia Roland, 12-year-old schoolgirl, temporary voice
- Sara Mendes da Costa, fourth permanent voice
[edit] External links
- [1] Telecommunications Heritage Group
