The Somerton TARDIS, Newport, South Wales

The Somerton TARDIS, Newport, South Wales

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AN OLD police phone box which resembles the TARDIS from classic sci-fi show Doctor Who has become a much-loved historical landmark in the city.

It is hard to believe the boxes were once disregarded as ‘unsightly’ by the then council and there were calls to move them to a museum. However, in 2010 Cadw was awarded a grant to save the structure from concrete cancer and restore it as a local landmark.

Here’s a selection of pictures from our archive of Somerton TARDIS over the years.

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Lynn Davies, far right, with the Somerton Rascal group who wanted to save the TARDIS in 2009.
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The TARDIS in 2009 when it was found to have ‘concrete cancer’.
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From left, Nicky Hoare, Louis Thomas and Maddie Thomson was the TARDIS saved from concrete cancer. Picture taken in 2009.
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In 1968, Newport Council wanted the TARDIS structures to go, saying they are unsightly.
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Gordon Jones and Frank Baker painted a scarf – modelled after the one worn by Tom Baker when he portrayed the Doctor -on the disused police phone box on Chepstow Road in 1985.
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The old police box on Chepstow Road looking a little run down in 1994.
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The Chpestow Road TARDIS today.

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