Tonight:
4°c
First of Big Ben's three big birthdays this year arrives
Terry Kirby29 May 2009
There is one reason to celebrate at the Houses of Parliament this weekend, despite the gloom among some of its occupants over their expenses.
Big Ben is marking the 150th anniversary of the first striking of its massive clock, on 31 May 1859. In fact, it is the first of three such anniversaries this year.
On 11 July it will be 150 years since the Great Bell - its nickname Big Ben eventually became commonly used for the clock tower - first sounded out across London. And September will see the 150th anniversary of the first time the chimes rang in full.
"I think we really do take it for granted sometimes," said Mike McCann, the Parliament maintenance manager who carries the title Keeper of the Great Clock. "But the rest of the world becomes very interested when something happens to Big Ben. It is a unique symbol of Great Britain."
Mr McCann confesses that he too sometimes forgets the symbolism of the building. "It's a funny job. You go about your day to day responsibilities around the Palace and then you get these special events and realize how much it means to people."
He cannot forget about the clock for too long. Once a week he has to climb the 292 steps - they are still talking about putting in a lift - "to make sure it is still there," he jokes.
He has three specialized clock engineers who climb the steps three times a week to wind the clock. They had to use hairdryers one New Year's Eve to thaw the frozen bell hammers in time for midnight. One engineer, Paul Robertson, walked from his home during the February blizzard as he knew Big Ben would stop if he did not wind it.
A further 30 or so steps further up is the Great Bell and the four smaller bells which sound the quarter hour chimes, all of which are triggered by the clock on a mechanism. This week, Mr McCann has been supervising the cleaning and restoration of the bells in time for the anniversary.
The smaller bells collectively play a tune, the Westminster Chimes, based on Handel's Messiah, the full version of which is heard on the hour. This is followed by the famous "Bongs" - the first of which signifies the hour.
The 300ft-high clock tower was constructed as part of the rebuilding of the Palace of Westminster after it was destroyed by fire in 1834. Charles Barry, the architect subcontracted the design of the tower and the clock to Augustus Pugin.
The tower has withstood the elements, survived the Blitz and emerged gleaming from the restoration of the Eighties. Although Mr McCann admits the clock does stop occasionally, its most famous interruption occurred in 1944 when a flock of starlings perched on the hour hand.
Reader views (4)
Big Ben ... one of the last remnants of the days when the U.K. was a separate independent country --- before becoming an E.U. province. The glory days ... now gone!!
- Phil Jones, London UK, 31/05/2009 13:17
Report abuse
I walk past Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster several times a week and every time I find myself marvelling at it's splendour and magnificance. Long may she chime over us. Happy Birthday!
- Richard, London, 29/05/2009 17:57
Report abuse
IT IS A PITY ONE OF BIG BEN'S BELLS DOES NOT DISLODGE ITSELF AND CRASH DOWN FLATTENING ALL THOSE CROOKED MP's.
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe UK, 29/05/2009 11:56
Report abuse
Celebrations wont be allowed, it is a symbol of the British empire and as such is a racist structure. The Liberal-lefties will demand it is torn down.
This corrupt socialist government will of course bend over backwards in the hopes of generating desperately needed votes for itself.
The cost of the demolition will then be charged to the tax payer. The predominant group of tax payers will have absolutely no say in the matter because Harpy Harman will have brought in legislation to silence them.
... how am I doing?!
Happy birthday Big Ben!
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 29/05/2009 10:20
Report abuse
