In message , The Medway Handyman
writes

I guess you expect to find a few odd things when you move into a house
that isn't new, but new to you.

The second home I bought, a maisonette, had gas hot water/ central
heating, and it worked fine for a few days, then stopped. Investigation
found that the timer was clockwork. Needed winding once a week. Worked
well enough, as long as I remembered to wind it up :-)
--
Graeme