That is the sound of Big Ben “bongs” that mark the start of a new hour.
Big Ben - the large bell inside the clock tower above Britain’s Houses of Parliament and part of the Palace of Westminster - started making its bongs 158 years ago. But beginning on August 21, it will go silent for four years.
The bell will be disconnected from the clock and crews will launch a major repair project in the tower. The clock, however, will continue to tell the time, silently.
The only time people in London will hear the bells will be on Remembrance Sunday, which falls on November 12th this year, and New Year’s Eve.
The bell will ring for the last time at 12 noon August 21 and some people are making plans to be in London for the final bongs before the four-year silence.
The renovation project will cost about $40 million, said Steve Jaggs, who is known as “The Keeper of the Great Clock.” He said the goal is to keep the building safe and the famous timepiece working for future generations to enjoy.
Specialized crews will take apart and clean the clock faces and many of the moving parts. They will remove rust and build an elevator for workers to use.
The last time the bell stopped ringing for repairs was in 2007. It was also silent for the funerals of former Prime Ministers Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher.
There was reaction to the silencing of Big Ben on social media.
and now that you've taught me Big Ben is the name of the bell, i know Big Ben is not Big Ben without the sound of its bell
Article from VOA News
Video source: You Tube
