The Wadham Clock

For generations, the Wadhams Clock was a familiar landmark above the former Wadham’s Furnishers premises in St James’ Square, Newport, overlooking one of the town’s historic gathering places. Generations of Islanders would have glanced up at it as they passed through the square.

When the Wadham’s building was refurbished in the early 1990s, the clock was apparently destined for the skip. In an extraordinary act of local preservation, Viv Nobbs recognised its importance and rescued it, collecting the clock and even pieces of its broken glass. The remains were then carefully kept for more than thirty years, before being restored with the help of committee member Matthew Price.

Today, the clock has been entrusted on long-term loan to theNewport & Carisbrooke Heritage Society, where it can once again be seen by the people of Newport. Its survival is more than the story of an old time piece—it is a story of community, memory and the determination to save a piece of Newport's heritage from being lost forever.

The Wadhams Clock no longer tells the time above St James’Square—but it now tells a story about Newport.

The images show Matthew Price & Viv Nobbs with the 'remains' of the clock, & it newly restored with members of the Heritage Society.