BBC Online :
Britain’s Big Ben clock tower has sounded its iconic chime for the last time in four years as the 158-year-old structure undergoes maintenance.
The London landmark, which sits on the northern end of Britain’s Houses of Parliament in the heart of the UK capital, is one of the most recognisable symbols of the country and news that its bell would not sound for years elicited a wide variety of responses – some more melancholy than others.
Thousands gathered near Westminster Palace at midday local time (11:00 GMT) on Monday to watch as the tower’s bells rang out for one last time – even though it will still sound to mark events such as Christmas Day and Remembrance Day.
Reports that a group of members of parliament would be gathering to pay respects at the site with “bowed heads” prompted mockery online and criticism of what some consider an atmosphere of jingoism in the UK since the vote to leave the European Union last year. The opposition Labour MP Stephen Pound was reported to have told the Press Association news agency that a group of his colleagues would be observing the vigil.
When asked if he was joking, Pound said he was not, adding “we’ll be stood down there with heads bowed but hope in our hearts”.
Britain’s Big Ben clock tower has sounded its iconic chime for the last time in four years as the 158-year-old structure undergoes maintenance.
The London landmark, which sits on the northern end of Britain’s Houses of Parliament in the heart of the UK capital, is one of the most recognisable symbols of the country and news that its bell would not sound for years elicited a wide variety of responses – some more melancholy than others.
Thousands gathered near Westminster Palace at midday local time (11:00 GMT) on Monday to watch as the tower’s bells rang out for one last time – even though it will still sound to mark events such as Christmas Day and Remembrance Day.
Reports that a group of members of parliament would be gathering to pay respects at the site with “bowed heads” prompted mockery online and criticism of what some consider an atmosphere of jingoism in the UK since the vote to leave the European Union last year. The opposition Labour MP Stephen Pound was reported to have told the Press Association news agency that a group of his colleagues would be observing the vigil.
When asked if he was joking, Pound said he was not, adding “we’ll be stood down there with heads bowed but hope in our hearts”.
