Big Ben Celebrates 100 Years of Live Bonging on Radio on New Year's Eve

Big Ben's iconic chimes have been a beloved symbol of the UK for over a century. In 1923, the chimes were first broadcast on the BBC as part of a New Year's Eve radio program, marking the beginning of a tradition that continues to this day. Originally, engineers had to climb onto a rooftop near the Houses of Parliament to record the chimes, but now, thanks to recent microphones installed during a major restoration project, it's a seamless process to bring the sound of Big Ben into the homes of BBC Radio 4 listeners. The importance of hearing the chimes has not gone unnoticed throughout the years. The sound of Big Ben has become synonymous with significant events, such as the outbreak of World War Two, and has served as a symbol of freedom. Today, the chimes are a regular feature in BBC Radio 4's daily news bulletins, heard twice a day on weekdays and three times on Sundays. They are also broadcast live on special occasions like Armistice Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve. However, there have been exceptions when the bells have been off the air. During World War Two, the chimes were occasionally replaced by recorded ones for security reasons. In 1976, the chiming mechanism broke and had to be replaced by pips on Radio 4. And in 2017, the chimes were temporarily replaced by a recording due to a major restoration of the Elizabeth Tower, where Big Ben resides. The extensive restoration project, costing £80 million, was necessary to ensure the building's preservation for future generations. The work included updating the infrastructure with new lighting and microphones. After a year-long delay, the restoration was completed in November, and live chimes returned to Radio 4's news bulletins. As New Year's Eve approaches, extra microphones will be brought in to broadcast the countdown at midnight, with clock mechanics like Andrew Strangeway working diligently to ensure the clock is running precisely on time. This year's celebration holds particular significance as it marks the 100-year anniversary of Big Ben's chimes being broadcast on the radio. To learn more about the history of Big Ben's bongs on the radio, you can visit the History of the BBC and BBC Oral History Collection.