Big Bens Bongs

[scottishdiem]

I really dont get the new English national panic over the sounds of a clock tower?

AIBU to think that English national identity now so bound up in silly little things like this that renders it pointless. A land that has spawned great poets, artists, musicians, actors, science and technology instead has a panic attack about the lack of Big Ben Bongs? Why?

Dear God! !!! What about new years Eve.

It will still bong for special events. It's being turned off to protect the people who are working on it, not because it is broken.

If the bells bonged every couple of hours, the workers might be able to leave the tower but not actually get any repairs done as it apparently takes half a day to take the bells out and replace them.

I thought they were leaving them up and just turning them off

They've locked the hammer I think.

What about the 10 o'clock news? Or whatever time it's on now. Does it still even have bongs?

I didn't realise I should be panicking, I will start immediately.

My DH works for the firm doing the work, he and his colleagues don't fancy risking their hearing or safety for the sake of the bong

Right - I've double checked as this is such a matter of national importance!

www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/aug/16/big-ben-backlash-mps-review-plans-silence-bell-four-years

The striking hammer is locked and the bells can then be disconnected from the clock mechanism. The weights are lowered within the weight shaft to the base of the tower and secured in a safe position. The whole process takes around half a day to complete.

"MPs will bow their heads outside Parliament on Monday as Big Ben rings out its final bongs before falling silent for four years.

The bizarre sombre tribute to the 157-year-old clock comes as the world-famous monument goes quiet to allow vital renovations."

WTF?!

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/mps-reveal-plans-for-big-ben-final-bongs_uk_5999aca4e4b0e8cc855e37c4

What are Radio 4 doing about the lack of Big Ben Bongs?

OMG Theresa May is trying to find a way not to have the chimes stopped according to the news this morning?
Repairs are needed. The bongs could damage the hearing of workers.
Anyone would think not having Big Ben working somehow weakens the country the way people are talking on tv.
The panickers should get a grip. It only matters to Londoners and tourists whose holiday will be an absolute waste of their time and money without the chimes of Big Ben.....not!