Ring the changes
Big Ben fell silent today for repairs (at least the quarter hour strikes have). The people that are repairing it are those that made the bells in the first instance, the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, the oldest foundry in the world it has been operating in Whitechapel from 1420.You can read the history and hear the chimes of Big Ben here.
This shot is of the workshop, where the bell (actually, the bell hammer) will be fixed. I think I'm going to have to come back here and show you more.
posted by Ham at 00:33 --
Comments here: 7
Comments on "Ring the changes"
-
Carlos Lorenzo said ... (00:48) :
-
Michael Salone said ... (05:44) :
-
Mylagan said ... (09:05) :
-
Anonymous said ... (09:18) :
-
Anonymous said ... (12:26) :
-
Jazzy said ... (13:42) :
-
Ryan said ... (16:49) :
post a commentPlease do, your always give the best infos, it is a pleasure to learn so much thanks to your work.
Ham, yes, please explore this place more. The art of bell making is intriguing when you think of all the precision needed to get the tones right and the tools necessary to get them hung. Too bad we can't hear them too.
Yes, I would love to know more, it would be very kind of you.
It reminds me of "our" bells in "our" belfries, here in the north of France (If someone is interested, I add a post about it on my blog)
Huge bells! I'd like to learn more of bell making =)
I've found this terribly interesting. I didn't know that the Big Ben bell is cracked! It's amazing that the Whitechapel Foundry does still exist, after 586 years.Congratulations! Ham, could you find out more about other famous bells (St Mary le Bow, St Clement Danes, etc...)? Thanks, you're the best!
It's interesting to see this side of Big Ben.
Thanks for the info and the pictures. Also- congrats on your big win over at St. Maxime DP! -Ryan