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Big Ben

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Mick Henshall14/11/2017 22:36:10
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562 forum posts
34 photos

I agree George, i watched it too, history is a major interest lf mine, was very good, the presenter has made some good programmes, I like Michael Woods who is very good

Mick

ChrisH14/11/2017 23:24:20
1023 forum posts
30 photos

I thought it was an interesting programme although a little spun out with padding rather than facts; I would have liked a bit more on the bell casting. Although the narrator was usually clear she did talk over over contributors a lot which I found annoying, and when they built the clock they did so using imperial units so why refer to heights and distances in metres and millimetres now - we still use feet and inches in England, except the TV crowd (and the BBC mob especially) always use kilometres and metres despite us retaining miles and yards and feet.

I love the bit when they were talking of the "can-do" attitude of the Victorians, 'this is England and this is what we do'. That attitude still here in England, today, somewhere, but I wish we had that attitude in greater abundance today. People are so negative, "it can't be done because...." seems to prevail so.

Not surprised the cost has risen so much either, the scaffolding operation is a huge cost in itself what with the cranes and the special bridging beam etc., never mind the actual work, and the work will increase as they get to it as more will be found that needs doing for sure. I suppose the new estimate includes the cost of stopping the tower leaning any further, it ought to, they had to in Pisa! But at least it will be of value to many, as opposed to some other projects I could mention. And how did they lift that bell up that height and into position 150+ years ago, they didn't tell us that, they didn't have our cranes back then.

Made a change from the usual 'crap tv' programmes they all usually serve up.

Chris

Circlip15/11/2017 10:10:47
1723 forum posts

Unfortunately Fred Dibnah didn't get round to this before his demise but then, those with the interest retention of Goldfish would complain - - - Having said that, my Goldfish knows when it's grub time.

Regards Ian.

Are you feeling run down yet John?

ken king, King Design15/11/2017 10:44:33
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144 forum posts
239 photos

Just getting back to the refurbishment project for a moment :- Are other readers as incensed as me (i ?) at the decision to silence Big Ben for four years "in order to protect the hearing of workmen". During said TV programme the presenter and expert stood within a few yards of the bell whilst it struck twelve. Of course they were wearing ear protection ! Has it not occurred to any of the bureaucrat numpties involved that similar protection could be supplied to the workmen - just as it is in many well-regulated noisy industrial situations ?

Nick Wheeler15/11/2017 11:30:03
1227 forum posts
101 photos
Ken, I think you need to experience being in a belfry when large bells are chimed(let alone being rung). I'm sure that your local ringers will be happy to help with your education.
Samsaranda15/11/2017 11:47:44
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1688 forum posts
16 photos

In respect of Big Ben leaning I am sure that was sorted when they excavated underneath for Crossrail and the new Westminster tube station because they pumped concrete grout into the area below Big Ben and subsequent monitoring showed that it had stopped moving, anyway it has only moved a couple of millimetres so we are not into a leaning tower of Pisa scenario.

Dave

Samsaranda15/11/2017 11:58:20
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1688 forum posts
16 photos

Ken I appreciate your comments about hearing protection and continuing work whilst Big Ben continues to chime but have you ever stood close to a large bell when it is chiming, I have whilst working on our church bells in our village church, there is a tremendous amount of energy released, way above safe working levels and if that is extrapolated up from a relatively small church bell to a bell the size of Big Ben I wouldn't want to be in close proximity when it was struck. I am coming from the position of one who has a severe hearing loss due to loud noise exposure ( gas turbine engines) and it is something that should be avoided at all costs, in the case I believe Health and Safety have got it right.

Dave

Mick Henshall15/11/2017 13:38:20
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562 forum posts
34 photos

If a masterclass in presenters/news interviewers interrupting and talking through people is needed you only need look at news channels, eg. BBC / Sky News etc, ask a question and 10 seconds interrupt with another one deeply rude

Mick

Grizzly bear15/11/2017 18:15:54
337 forum posts
8 photos

I thought it was well presented, lady presenter.

What about the scaffolding, not allowed to touch the tower. That is a work of art too.

Bear..

ChrisH15/11/2017 18:28:37
1023 forum posts
30 photos

Hi Bear, I thought they were not allowed to drill into the tower to secure the scaffolding as presumably one would normally do but that they were going to brace off the tower, thus touching it but not secured to it, so as the scaffolding would not rock about in the breeze and that they had worked out that it would not impose excess loads on the tower in doing so. But you're absolutely right, the whole scaffolding bit is some stunning job in it's own right.

Chris

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