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  1. #1
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    Digby Fantona's Avatar
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    Big Ben Silenced

    Big Ben to fall silent for three years for repairs - BBC News


    Big Ben is to close its doors to visitors for a three-year renovation project.
    The work, which will begin early in the new year, will cost £29m and involve repairs to the clock's hands, mechanism and pendulum.
    The "Big Ben" bell after which the Palace of Westminster's Elizabeth Tower is more commonly known will fall silent to allow the work to take place.
    It will be the first time Big Ben has been silent since 2007.
    Parliamentary officials said the mechanism of the clock was in a "chronic state", with fears that it may fail if work is not carried out urgently. There are also concerns that the fabric of the tower itself is reaching an "acute" condition.
    A lift will be installed and the 157-year-old tower will be upgraded to bring it into line with modern health and safety standards. The lift will provide greater access for disabled people who are unable to climb the tower's 334 steps.
    It is more than 30 years since the last significant conservation work took place on Big Ben, between 1983 and 1985.
    Clock faces will be covered, although at least one will remain visible at any time, and bells will toll for important events such as New Year's Eve and Remembrance Day.
    Final tours of the tower were taking place on Friday.

  2. #2
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    Big Deal.

  3. #3
    5 4 Knoll
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    Explains Malcolm's exit he needs a regular bong

  4. #4
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    A man called Luigi once said that time was free. How wrong he was !

  5. #5
    Thailand Expat VocalNeal's Avatar
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    So disabled people are hired to wind the clock and can't get there because there is no lift. FFS!

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by VocalNeal View Post
    So disabled people are hired to wind the clock and can't get there because there is no lift. FFS!
    It is a significant tourist attraction and worth the investment but three years does seem a tad long.

  7. #7
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    I had a great dinner in the Palace of Westminster once, in the Lords. It was great- I loved the combination of olde mould (but finely swept), fine dining, & gentlemen that knew how to appreciate it. Zero interference from the outside world, surrounded by raconteurs that gave zero fecks- at least when they were inside. Concepts like PC, no smoking policies, fashion, and contemporary bistro trends were as irrelevant there, as they were relevant outside. It were grand.

    Now they're going to spend untold millions renovating and updating the place- and I have this feeling it will end up like the sort of bistro Tony Blair would go to.
    Last edited by sabang; 16-12-2016 at 10:52 PM.

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    I like what they are going to be doing.


  9. #9
    5 4 Knoll
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    Some say Ms Digby she pong
    I say no way you're wrong
    An early arouser
    Will alert your trouser
    Ding ding Dong Dong

  10. #10
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    So the BBC radio 4 news always starts with the chimes of Big Ben, does this mean that we won't be hearing them anymore.

  11. #11
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    During the British Heirwaves industrial action and the Rail Strike a replacement Mosque service wil run and run

  12. #12
    Thailand Expat lom's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by wasabi View Post
    So the BBC radio 4 news always starts with the chimes of Big Ben, does this mean that we won't be hearing them anymore.
    They will be replaced with a beautiful adhan

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