"Part of the Civic Centre which was not finished until after WW2 - just as well, think what a marker it would have made to an enemy bomber on its way to Newport docks. After my walk over the Transporter Bridge this came as quite a climb - over flat roofs, up steps, circular stairs and ladders before finally reaching the top. I needn't add that this route is not open to the public! And at the end, was it worth it? Well, this view of the bell and the clock mechanism is a bit of a disappointment. No bell space at the top of Notre Dame is this. But the panoramic views of Newport make the trip worthwhile. Nonetheless as Roger Cooksea, Newport's Conservator of Fine Art observed, it would have been cheaper to have given each citizen of Newport a watch rather than undertake the expense of building this clock tower!"
