Anyone visiting the ‘Smoke’ during the past couple of years will be aware that one of the capital’s most globally recognised landmarks ‘Big Ben’ has been scaffolded and boarded up whilst it undergoes 4 years of essential repairs.
In fact back in August 2017 my London Shoes website published a blog entitled “Bong-less’ Big Ben” which was all about the history of the famous clock tower and the extensive work that was about to be done on it.
Fast forward 3 years – and London Shoes took advantage of the one day of glorious weather we had last week, and headed off to Westminster to witness the most recent developments to this iconic and historic London landmark – the removal of some of the scaffolding from the very top of the clock tower.
Whilst up in Westminster ‘Shoes’ decided to wander down the road to Victoria Station to take a look at an elusive landmark, that I never knew existed until now.
So – the subject matter of this week’s blog is “Big Ben” & “Little Ben”.
You’re probably already aware that Big Ben is actually the name of the bell in the clock tower – the Clock Tower itself was originally named the St. Stephens Tower – but was officially changed to the ‘Elizabeth Tower’ in 2012 to commemorate Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee. The clock mechanism itself is simply named the Great Clock
The Tower consists of 2,600 cubic meters of brick plus 850 cubic meters of stone – and the Great Clock took over 13 years to build and was finally unveiled to the great British public in May 1859. Big Ben chimed the ‘hour’ for the very first time on the 11th July 1859, and continued to do so until the repair works began in August 2017, when it became ‘bong-less’ with the exception of New Year’s Day & Remembrance Sunday’s.
The restoration work on Big Ben is expected to last 4 years and is intended to be completed sometime next year (2021).
However, like all massive projects, not everything has gone to plan. Apparently the budget has already been exceeded by £80m, as the work uncovered loads of asbestos that they didn’t know was up there – also there was far more bomb damage and pollution to the original stonework and tiles than originally expected.
Also – renovation experts unexpectedly discovered that there was tons of broken glass up in the clock face and its dials – and came across far more instances where toxic lead paint had been used during the original construction – all adding more challenges to the project.
However – the work has continued to progress and last week saw the removal of some of the scaffolding revealing the very top of the Tower, where 3,433 cast iron roof tiles had been removed, repaired and cleaned up, by restoration specialists.
The rest of the scaffolding and covering will remain in place whilst the rest of the restoration work is being undertaken, and will be removed once that has been completed – and no doubt at which time there will be a more formal re-opening.
So – it was a memorable moment for London Shoes to actually be up there in Westminster on such a lovely sunny day, to see the first glimpses of the newly renovated ‘Big Ben’ Tower top and clock face.
Now – how many people knew that there London also has a ‘Little Ben’???– I certainly wasn’t aware of existence.
It is located a hundred yards or so outside the extremely busy Victoria Station.
From a personal perspective I couldn’t work out why I had never noticed it before – bearing in mind that I used to take some my Barclays work colleagues from Canary Wharf, up to Victoria once or twice a year, to do a volunteering stint in the ‘real world’ where we used to serve up breakfasts for the homeless at ‘The Passage’, a huge charity organisation that offer support to the homeless on the streets of Westminster – and we never once ever noticed ‘Little Ben’.
‘Little Ben’ is a cast iron miniature clock tower that’s design replicates its big brother – Big Ben – just 10mins further down the road in Westminster.
It was built and erected outside Victoria Station way back in 1897 – and is situated at the junction of Vauxhall Bridge Road and Victoria Street.
It was made by the reputable company ‘Gillett & Johnston’ of Croydon – who are still in the business of making clocks today – but are now located in Bletchingly-Surrey.
Little Ben was sponsored by the French, as a gesture of French-British friendship – and up until recently, to keep its attachment to France, its time piece never recognised the British Summer Time (BST) & GMT time changes in winter, like all other British clocks – and it has an inscription displayed on it that references this:-
“My hands you may retard or may advance – My heart beats true for England as for France”
A replica of Little Ben is erected in Victoria, the capital of the Seychelles – to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897.
In 1964 it was removed from its location whilst the roads around Victoria Station were being widened.
In 1984 Little Ben was removed again for a thorough restoration, before being re-erected.
In 2012 Little Ben was removed once again from its London location and was put into storage whilst the entire area surrounding Victoria Station was being extensively redeveloped.
Whilst it was away in storage Little Ben was completely refurbished.
In 2016 it was put back in its original spot outside the iconic ‘Victoria Palace Theatre’ just across the road from Victoria Station – and that explains the reason why, on me & my work colleagues jaunts up to Victoria to feed the homeless – we never saw it – (mystery solved).
Some may ask, what’s the point of Little Ben?? – Well, when it was originally erected way back in 1892, it was for the purpose of helping the Victorian non-watch wearing travellers entering or exiting busy Victoria Station – know what time it was.
So – that’s ‘Big Ben’ & ‘Little Ben’ for ya – hope you enjoy the accompanying photos.
Before heading off back home, I ambled my way from Victoria Station to Grosvenor Gardens just a 2min walk away – where one of London’s few remaining classic ‘Cabman Shelters’ is situated – where I bought a cuppa and sat in the small but perfectly formed greenery of Grosvenor Gardens for a while to take the weight off me ‘plates’ and watch the world go by – very pleasant it was too.
Another really good few hours out on-the-road, under gloriously sunny London skies – but a day that was also tinged with concern, because, as with all my London Shoes jaunts out in recent weeks since Covid19 lockdown restrictions eased in July 20 – to witness a Westminster Bridge, that is usually totally rammed with tourists and sight-seers – now so deserted, soulless and lifeless, like some backdrop to zombie apocalypse movie – is really is very very worrying and upsetting.
________________________________________
See below the entire gallery of photos taken to accompany this blog
Westminster tube station – the nearest to Big Ben (eg The Elizabeth Tower)
Restoration work on Big Ben began in Aug 2017 – when it was completely surrounded by scaffolding and boarded up – and would become ‘bong-less’ for a period of 4yrs
The restoration work on Big Ben is expected to last 4 years and is intended to be completed sometime next year (2021).
Renovation experts unexpectedly discovered that there was loads of broken glass up in the Elizabeth Tower clock face and its dials – and came across far more instances where toxic lead paint had been used during the original construction – all adding more challenges to the project.
The Big Ben restoration work uncovered loads of asbestos that restoration experts didn’t know was up there – also there was far more bomb damage and pollution to the original stonework and tiles than originally expected.
Me – on Westminster Bridge – with a scaffolded & boarded up Elizabeth Tower in the back ground
One of the 3 ‘story boards’ that are displayed at the base of Big Ben
Another of the 3 ‘story boards’ that are displayed at the base of Big Ben
Another of the 3 ‘story boards’ that are displayed at the base of Big Ben
Me – with Big Ben’s recently uncovered top in the back ground
Although last week saw the removal of some of the scaffolding revealing the very top of the Elizabeth Tower – the rest of the scaffolding and covering will remain in place whilst the rest of the restoration work is being undertaken, and will be removed once that has been completed – and no doubt at which time there will be a more formal re-opening.
Last week the clock-face of the Elizabeth Tower (eg Big Ben) finally got to see daylight again – having been boarded-up for restoration work since 2017.
Hopefully – it shouldn’t be too long now until Big Ben is formally unveiled following its 4 yr stint in excile…..I just hope there will be people up there to see it happen :-((
After 3yrs of being boarded-up, the beginning of October 2020 saw the removal of some of the scaffolding revealing the very top of the Tower, where 3,433 cast iron roof tiles had been removed, repaired and cleaned up, by restoration specialists.
‘Little Ben’ is a cast iron miniature clock tower that’s design replicates its big brother – Big Ben – just 10mins further down the road in Westminster.
Me – alongside ‘Little Ben’ – with a deserted Victoria Station in the background
‘Little Ben’ was built and erected outside Victoria Station way back in 1897 – and is situated at the junction of Vauxhall Bridge Road and Victoria Street.
Little Ben was sponsored by the French, as a gesture of French-British friendship – and it has an inscription displayed on it that references this:- “My hands you may retard or may advance My heart beats true for England as for France”
Me – leaning up against ‘Little Ben’
‘Little Ben’ was originally made by the reputable company ‘Gillett & Johnston’ of Croydon – who are still in the business of making clocks today – but are now located in Bletchingly-Surrey. However, it has a a few renovations and restorations over the past century.
In 1964 ‘Little Ben’ was removed from its location in Victoria, whilst the roads around Victoria Station were being widened.
In 1984 ‘Little Ben’ was removed again for a thorough restoration, before being re-erected at its original spot outside the famous Victoria Palace Theatre and across the road from Victoria Station.
Me – with ‘old’ & ‘new’
In 2012 Little Ben was removed yet again from its London location and was put into storage whilst the entire area surrounding Victoria Station was being extensively redeveloped. In 2016 it was put back in its original spot outside the iconic ‘Victoria Palace Theatre’ just across the road from Victoria Station
When ‘Little Ben’ was originally erected way back in 1892, it was for the purpose of helping the Victorian non-watch wearing travellers entering or exiting busy Victoria Station – know what time it was.
London Shoes day visiting Big Ben & Little Ben–was also tinged with concern, because, as with all my London Shoes jaunts out in recent weeks – to witness a Westminster Bridge, that is usually totally rammed with tourists and sight-seers – so deserted, soulless and lifeless – is really quite worrying and upsetting :-((
A view of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben from a totally deserted Westminster Bridge – usually one of the busiest of London’s bridges, with both traffic and pedestrians – but, because of the impact of the Covid19 virus, it is sadly now like a ‘ghost-bridge’ :-((
View looking towards the southern banks of the River Thames – from a deserted, Covid19 impacted “Westminster Bridge” :-((
Me – on a deserted Westminster Bridge – with the sun catching perfectly its amusingly famous ‘phallic’ shadows
Another view of ‘Big Ben’ from an almost deserted Westminster Bridge :-((
Grosvenor Gardens in Belgravia – just a short walk north from Victoria Station – & my destination for a quick cuppa before heading back home following London Shoes visit to see Big Ben & Little Ben :-))
The ‘Cabman Shelter’ located at Grosvenor gardens. Cabman Shelters were small green huts, which stood on the pavements next to major London roads. They were not allowed to be larger than a horse and cart, and they all had to be exactly the same size shape and design. They had a small kitchen fitted inside them and they sold food and (non-alcoholic) drink to the cabbies.
Me – alongside the ‘Cabman Shelter’ at Grosvenor Gardens – Between the years 1875 & 1914, there were 61 Cabman Shelters scattered across London – and today, it so pleasing to see that around 15 are still in situ and still doing what they were designed to do – ie providing well deserved refreshment for London’s cabbies
Inside ‘Grosvenor Gardens’. The gardens consist of lawns & plants and shrubs, and a life-sized sculpture of a Lioness chasing a Lesser Kudu in the center – which was commissioned by the Duke of Westminster from the sculptor Jonathan Kenworthy.
Me – in Grosvenor Gardens – taking the weight off me ‘plates’ and enjoying a Cabman Shelter cuppa, before heading off back home, following London Shoes visit to Big Ben & Little Ben :-))
Me – not having to try too hard to be Covid19 ‘socially distant’ – on my way back home following London Shoes visit to see Big Ben & Little Ben :-))
Wow, fascinating stuff, had no idea this existed. Thank you, I feel all h’educated now!
Never knew of Little Ben. Brilliant enjoyable piece, as always
Me neither Neil – it just goes to show you learn something new every day 🙂
Yet again thank you for a brilliant posting. Although I am from the East End of London and know much of London you are further broadening my knowledge. I always forward-on your posts to many other interested parties.
Great story Geoff I vaguely remember Little Ben but back then took little notice of my surroundings being more intent on my destination so it’s with great pleasure to revisit these places albeit virtually and take the time to appreciate them. Thanks Geoff and keep up the good work
Usually every year I meet a couple of friends outside the Victoria Palace and we go for a meal and maybe a bit of sightseeing. I don’t think we once gave a passing thought to Little Ben – next time I will be able to show off my knowledge – thank you.