tiger-91 Posted August 14, 2017 #1 Share Posted August 14, 2017 https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/aug/14/big-ben-silenced-four-years-maintenance-chimes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cotswold Eagle Posted August 14, 2017 #2 Share Posted August 14, 2017 The bottom of the Elizabeth Tower is already covered in scaffolding, so it's going to ruin the most popular tourist photo/selfie site too. Bright side, it might be easier to walk to Westminster tube without tourists taking those pictures blocking the pavement... Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sddsddean Posted August 14, 2017 #3 Share Posted August 14, 2017 I wonder if the 'News at Ten' will play along and not have the bongs during the headlines? Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cotswold Eagle Posted August 14, 2017 #4 Share Posted August 14, 2017 BBC Radio 4 are going to use a recording, after considering various alternatives. Must have been a great meeting :) Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easyboy Posted August 14, 2017 #5 Share Posted August 14, 2017 The bottom of the Elizabeth Tower is already covered in scaffolding, so it's going to ruin the most popular tourist photo/selfie site too. Bright side, it might be easier to walk to Westminster tube without tourists taking those pictures blocking the pavement... Sent from my iPad using Forums Too bad for my grandsons' selfie plan when I bring them next month for the first time. Just have to contend with the obstructions. Thanks for the heads up. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isklaar Posted August 14, 2017 #6 Share Posted August 14, 2017 As an expat living in and loving the UK for many years now, I can't imagine 4 years without the sound of Big Ben. I was even more concerned when I heard that the 'bongs' may not sound the same after this work is completed. Good on Radio 4! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Got2Cruise Posted August 15, 2017 #7 Share Posted August 15, 2017 The bottom of the Elizabeth Tower is already covered in scaffolding, so it's going to ruin the most popular tourist photo/selfie site too. Bright side, it might be easier to walk to Westminster tube without tourists taking those pictures blocking the pavement... Sent from my iPad using Forums you mean like this? lol. From July 2017. I would have been devastated not to hear it. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turnip eater Posted August 15, 2017 #8 Share Posted August 15, 2017 How to take a good shot of Big Ben :D http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40929709 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsrdsrdsr Posted August 15, 2017 #9 Share Posted August 15, 2017 It seems the plan was put through by some terrified safety obsessive and is very little to do with the renovations, it's only the fear that the sound of bells will deafen the employees. There have been suggestions (which were outside the imagination of said jobsworth) that the bells can ring at night, and perhaps at noon (when the employees know it's coming) as a compromise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cotswold Eagle Posted August 15, 2017 #10 Share Posted August 15, 2017 you mean like this? lol. From July 2017. I would have been devastated not to hear it. Sent from my iPhone using Forums You almost kept the scaffolding out of your shot! Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Got2Cruise Posted August 15, 2017 #11 Share Posted August 15, 2017 You almost kept the scaffolding out of your shot! Sent from my iPad using Forums Lol. Yes thanks for noticing. That's the weird angle. Won't win any prizes Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Towncar T Posted August 15, 2017 #12 Share Posted August 15, 2017 :'):'):') BBC Radio 4 are going to use a recording, after considering various alternatives. Must have been a great meeting :) Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LondonTowner Posted August 16, 2017 #13 Share Posted August 16, 2017 I think they are going to reverse the ruling. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Host Bonjour Posted August 30, 2017 #14 Share Posted August 30, 2017 It was mentioned/suggested the bell will ring on special occasions such as New Year or Christmas or maybe if Prince Harry marries? Noon or Miidnight, not on its regular cycle - not sure if this is confirmed though. Imagine no one working on those days and so no risk of the ear-bong effect :eek: Wow wouldn't Westminster be crowded on those occasions, way onto the bridge? The Palace of Westminster still AMAZING sans ringing Big Ben or scaffolded Elizabeth Tower, countless cities & landmarks undergo renos or even lose landmarks...it's the visit that matters. The iconic view from across the Thames, especially at sunset - there's something about that silhouette that is breathtaking and with its many spires points to every corner of the world saying here is London. Keep going for photos, but maybe from a different aspect/point of view. Too many proclamations anyway with "it's just a bell?!" Nah, it's way more. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Host Bonjour Posted August 30, 2017 #15 Share Posted August 30, 2017 Lol. Yes thanks for noticing. That's the weird angle. Won't win any prizes Sent from my iPhone using Forums Not weird, great shot! Always go for the unexpected angle, it catches more eyes than the ordinary types! I tilt lots of my shots on purpose just for a different effect so they don't look like everyone else's travel shots. Helps keep it interesting ;) (and some might win prizes, you never know!) :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveH2508 Posted August 30, 2017 #16 Share Posted August 30, 2017 Not weird, great shot! Always go for the unexpected angle, it catches more eyes than the ordinary types! I tilt lots of my shots on purpose just for a different effect so they don't look like everyone else's travel shots. Helps keep it interesting ;) (and some might win prizes, you never know!) :D I thought you might have just staggered out of St Stephen's Tavern opposite! A lovely pub (one of my top two or three pubs in London). It even has a division bell that is supposed to ring when there is a vote in the Commons to summon MPs back to the chamber! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cotswold Eagle Posted August 31, 2017 #17 Share Posted August 31, 2017 It's a decent pub, but can get hellish busy. I'm more a Red Lion or Westminster Arms man (both of which also have Division Bells) - but then the St Stephen's wasn't there when I started work in the area in the 1990s! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahl Posted August 31, 2017 #18 Share Posted August 31, 2017 How to take a good shot of Big Ben :D http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40929709 The composition with the Winston Churchill statue facing Big Ben is an excellent idea! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Got2Cruise Posted August 31, 2017 #19 Share Posted August 31, 2017 It's a decent pub, but can get hellish busy. I'm more a Red Lion or Westminster Arms man (both of which also have Division Bells) - but then the St Stephen's wasn't there when I started work in the area in the 1990s! Sent from my iPhone using Forums We went to Red Lion after our walk. Our acquaintance who is Metro Police at Parliament recommended it. First time in our lives we had pies! But not out last. lol. We do look bleary eyed because we didn't rest at all after our overnight from JFK. Dropped our luggage at hotel and walked to Big Ben. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cotswold Eagle Posted August 31, 2017 #20 Share Posted August 31, 2017 We went to Red Lion after our walk. Our acquaintance who is Metro Police at Parliament recommended it. First time in our lives we had pies! But not out last. lol. We do look bleary eyed because we didn't rest at all after our overnight from JFK. Dropped our luggage at hotel and walked to Big Ben. Good effort. I hope you washed your pies down with a couple of pints of London Pride or ESB - well known for jet lag cures [emoji6]Proper London beer from Fuller's, not that Dorset-based Badger stuff you'll get at St Stephen's Tavern. Only joking - it's well worth trying, perhaps fish and chips with a Tanglefoot ale. The decor is a strong selling point too. Where are you staying? [by the by, Met or Metropolitan for the police in London - never Metro, other than in radio callsigns.] Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4x4bob Posted September 1, 2017 #21 Share Posted September 1, 2017 Ah, this news is a real bummer for me. In Sept this year we will be visiting London after many years of thinking about it. Big Ben was always high on my list of things to take a photo of and I wanted to hear the sound it made. So, as other have done I will try to avoid the scafaling in any photos that I take. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skisteamboat Posted September 2, 2017 #22 Share Posted September 2, 2017 Good effort. I hope you washed your pies down with a couple of pints of London Pride or ESB - well known for jet lag cures [emoji6]Proper London beer from Fuller's, not that Dorset-based Badger stuff you'll get at St Stephen's Tavern. Only joking - it's well worth trying, perhaps fish and chips with a Tanglefoot ale. The decor is a strong selling point too. I've been playing tour guide for various family members and friends the last few trips and we always stopped at the Red Lion after the obligatory tour around Parliament Square. Unanimous approval by all visitors, especially for London Pride. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Got2Cruise Posted September 2, 2017 #23 Share Posted September 2, 2017 Tourists can order a flight of beers/ale along with selection of pies. No need to decide at the Red Lion. lol Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cotswold Eagle Posted September 3, 2017 #24 Share Posted September 3, 2017 Tourists can order a flight of beers/ale along with selection of pies. No need to decide at the Red Lion. lol Sent from my iPhone using Forums Lovely. Although I prefer to eat from an actual plate! Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsmeeker Posted September 29, 2017 #25 Share Posted September 29, 2017 The bottom of the Elizabeth Tower is already covered in scaffolding, so it's going to ruin the most popular tourist photo/selfie site too. Bright side, it might be easier to walk to Westminster tube without tourists taking those pictures blocking the pavement... Sent from my iPad using Forums ha.. No such luck two weeks ago. Area was totally rammed like one would expect. I got my selfie in. With scaffold. But that's fine. It wasn't my first visit to London. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now