GeoGraph - photograph every grid square

'Look, no hands!' I remain somewhat confused that this was renovated in the last couple of years. Can anyone tell me what the story is here, save for that they couldn't get the spares!?
Post script: A visitor to the site has advised me that this is a health and safety issue, in that there is a vertical ladder that has to be climbed to wind up the mechanism. Perhaps I should instigate a campaign to electrify it!