Big Ben will chime on New Year’s Eve for the first time since 2017

30/12/2021
Culture

Over the past four years, the Elizabeth Tower as well as the clockwork and bell mechanism within it have undergone the biggest conservation and repair project in its over one and a half century-long history. Big Ben has therefore been covered in scaffolding since 2017.

https://twitter.com/UKParliament/status/1433032027146788864?s=20

Now that the ongoing restoration of the Palace of Westminster’s Elizabeth Tower is coming to an end, the bell will be struck twelve times to mark the start of the year 2022. As the scaffolding has been removed in recent months, passers-by can finally have a view of the clock face’s restored original paint colour.

Several British media report that the bell’s chiming will be tested a few times in the following days in order to make it ready for the 31st of December.

Ian Westworth is one of Parliament’s team of clock mechanics who will be making sure Big Ben strikes on New Year’s Eve. „It’s iconic. It’s probably the world’s most famous clock, and to have had our hands on every single nut and bolt is a huge privilege,” he was quoted as saying.

“It’s going to be quite emotional when it’s all over – there will be sadness that the project has finished, but happiness that we have got it back and everything’s up and running again,” he added.