Landmarks

Big Ben, the largest and most accurate clock

Dear Diary,

It was a sunny morning after many long, cold days. All these days, we have been staying indoors. "We should have flown back to Sri Lanka," said Maria, the Cuckoo Bird hastily and all the others silently nodded their heads in agreement, except me.

"But then, we will be missing the chance to see all the lovely places here," I said, to justify my reason to stay here. Some looked at me, making various sounds to show their disagreement, while others just sighed. It was very cold and snowy the last few days.

If we couldn't find this cosy little room to nest in, we would have died from the cold. But, it's sunny today and how can we stay in? "So, my dear friends, for a change, can we go out to see another beautiful place?" I asked. I looked at all the faces, but no one seemed to be in agreement.

"All right! We are going to see the Big Ben," I said. Then, suddenly, everyone seemed to get interested. I knew that only a little more convincing would be needed to make them take flight. "That huge clock, which is one of the most accurate clocks in the world", I started explaining. "Shall we go and see it?" "Yes, of course", they all agreed.

In a little while, we were on our way to the Big Ben. On our way, Aaron, the Guide Bird, started explaining the history of the clock. "The great clock of Westminster, known worldwide as the 'Big Ben', is the most famous bell ever cast at White Chapel.

Big Ben was cast on April 10, 1858, but its story had begun more than two decades earlier.On October 16, 1834 a fire destroyed the palace of Westminster which was for a long time the seat of the British government.

The few sections of the old palace that survived the fire included the Westminster Hall, which was built between 1097 and 1099. It was incorporated into the new buildings we see today, along with many new features.

In 1844, Parliament decided that the new buildings for the Houses of Parliament should have a tower and a clock. One of the main requirements of the clock had been that 'the first stroke of the hour bell should register the time, correct to within one second per day, and furthermore, that it should telegraph its performance twice a day to Greenwich Observatory, where a record would be kept".

After the hard work put in by many professionals, the bells of the Great Clock of Westminster rang across London for the first time on May 31, 1859, and Parliament had a special sitting to decide on a suitable name for the great hour bell.

After a heavy session of arguments, Sir Benjamin Hall, whose pet name was Big Ben, rose and gave an impressive speech. As soon as he sat down, another member stood up and said, "Why won't we call the clock Big Ben" Thereafter, it came to be known as the Big Ben. So that is the history of the place.

A while later, we arrived at the Big Ben. A full size profile of the bell framed the main entrance, from where we entered the building. We could also see the original moulding gauge which was used to form the mould for casting Big Ben's hands on the rear wall of the foundry (metal workshop).

Most British people gather around the Big Ben on December 31 every year to mark the dawn of the new year.

When the clock strikes 12 midnight, they all start wishing each other a Happy New Year. It now has become a custom to party around the Big Ben. The Big Ben has now become one of the most popular landmarks in the world. Even on my first day in London, when Mama Bird and Papa Bird called to see how I was, they asked "Did you visit the Big Ben?" The clock is renowned for its size and accuracy. We all adjusted our wrist-watches according to the time shown on the Big Ben.

Do you know that there is a thing called Greenwich time lines? The time in other countries is decided relative to the Greenwich Zero Line. The Greenwich Zero Line falls on the Big Ben. So, the time of the Greenwich Zero is the time shown on the Big Ben.

After a wonderful journey to the Big Ben, we came back to our nest before it got dark, thinking we will visit the Big Ben again on the 31st night to celebrate the dawn of the New Year. See you again in the New Year, and on "behalf of all my friends I wish all our readers, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We hope to take you on more exciting journeys in the New Year!

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