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Ben & The Houses of Parliament,
Westminster
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Beacon of "the mother of
all Parliaments", Big Ben is possibly London's most famous
landmark. |
Big Ben Facts and Figures:
How Big is Ben? 9'-0" diameter, 7'-6" high,
and weighing in at 13 tons 10 cwts 3 qtrs 15lbs (13,760 Kg)
When? Big Ben was cast on Saturday 10th April 1858, with
the first chime rung in situ on 31st May 1859.
Where? Whitechapel Bell Foundry, London.
By Whom? George Mears, then the master bellfounder and
owner of the foundry.
How Much? UKP 2,401 for casting the bell (However this
was offset to the sum of UKP 1,829 by the metal reclaimed from
a previous bell so that the actual invoice submitted, on 28th
May 1858, was for UKP 572.
"Big Ben" does not refer to
the whole clocktower, but to the huge thirteen ton bell that strikes
the hour.
One theory has it that the bell was named after a popular heavyweight
boxer Benjamin Caunt. However, the consensus today seems to be
that it was named after Sir Benjamin Hall*, a (literally) weighty
politician of the time who was the Parliamentary Commissioner
of Works.
Also known as The Palace of Westminster, The Houses of Parliament
incorporates The House of Commons (destroyed in WW2, rebuilt 1950),
The House of Lords & Westminster Hall.
You can visit the Houses of Parliament to watch proceedings from
the public gallery. Beware, MPs have absurdly long holidays or
"recesses". Call 020 7219 4272 for details.
Or take a guided tour which can include the tower of Big Ben (by
prior arrangement). To arrange a tour contact:
• Your Local MP (UK
Nationals) call 020 7219 3000
• Embassy (Others)
Parliament Website:
The official Parliament
website includes historical information on the Palace Of Westminster
and Big Ben.
www.parliament.uk/
*The Story of Big Ben:
Great little site with
information from the foundry that cast the Big Ben bell in 1858
(and also the U.S.A.'s Liberty Bell in 1752). Group tours of
the foundry are available, although bookings may need to be made
up to 12 months in advance - so plan ahead!
www.whitechapelbellfoundry.co.uk/bigben.htm
Feedback
From: jacquesfamily4
Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2003 9:43 AM
To: feedback@londonnet.com
Subject: BIG BEN
Please correct the statment,(Big
Ben is the name of the thirteenth bell) It
should read Big Ben is the name of the thirteen ton hour bell,
as there are
only five bells in the belfry of St Stephens tower.
Reply: You're right, thanks
for the correction which has been applied to the above text.
From: HCG
Sent: 02 March 2002 13:39
To: feedback@londonnet.com
Subject: Parliament
On the Big Ben site you state
that the Houses of Parliament were destroyed in WW2 and rebuilt
in 1950. Please correct this wrong statement. Part of the
building was rebuilt after a fire, in 1840 and designed by Sir
Charles Barry.
It is very misleading to publish such blatantly wrong information
on a London website.
HCG (Malvern College)
---------
Dear HCG,
Thank you for your email.
Here's the para:
"A.K.A The Palace of Westminster, The Houses of Parliament
also incorporates The House of Commons (destroyed in WW2, rebuilt
1950), The House of Lords & Westminster Hall."
A puzzle indeed. While we are as capable of making mistakes as
anybody, on this occasion we are right. But here's the rub; so
are you!
Source:
http://www.parliament.uk/commons/
http://www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/fs39.pdf
1834
16th October. Palace of Westminster almost totally
destroyed by fire, apart from Westminster Hall and the
Crypt Chapel. A public competition to design a new
building was won by Charles Barry. He was assisted by
Augustus Welby Pugin.
1852
New Houses of Parliament opened.
1941
10th May. Commons Chamber destroyed by enemy action.
1950
New Commons Chamber, (designed by Sir Giles Gilbert
Scott) is finished. First meeting 26th October. (Strangers were
allowed to be present for Prayers against the usual practice
of the House).
Kind regards and "keep
'em peeled".
Peter D. Clee (Publisher)
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