DID YOU KNOW? ... The Joseph Chamberlain Memorial Clock Tower at University of Birmingham is the tallest free-standing clock tower in the world at 100 metres and can be seen from miles away around the city. It is known locally as ‘Old Joe’. Students can walk through the base when moving around the campus but are superstitious to do so when the bell is chiming on the hour. The fear, it is said, is that this could result in them failing their degree.