Westminster chimes at 4.00pm - on Low, High, Regular notes

Westminster chimes at 4.00pm - on Low, High, Regular notes
c e d G
c d e c
e c d G
G d e c c c c c
C E D G
C D E C
E C D G
G D E C C C C C
F A G c
F G A F
A F G c
c G A F c c c c
The prayer inscribed on a plaque in the Big Ben clock room reads:
All through this hour
Lord be my guide
That by Thy power
No foot shall slide.
The conventional prayers are:
O Lord our God
Be Thou our guide
That by thy help
No foot may slide.
An alternative prayer changes the third line:
O Lord our God
Be Thou our guide
So by Thy power
No foot shall slide.
The majority of Floor Clocks available today are equipped with Westminster Chimes. Certain clocks are also supplied with triple chimes so that the turning of a selector switch on the dial face give the choice of Westminster, Whittington or St. Michael's chimes.
The Westminster Chime strikes four notes on the quarter hour, eight notes on the half hour, twelve notes on the three quarter hour, and on the hour chimes sixteen notes and strikes the hour
Some clocks are now equipped with a sequential chime movement that plays Westminster, St. Michael and Whittington chimes sequentially or solely.
Most clocks have a "Big-Ben" hour gong. The majority of floor clocks have a series of chime rods inside the case, which upon being struck by the clock's "hammers" results in a harmonious chime. Chime rods are about 1/4" in diameter and vary from 12" to 17" in length. A rare minority of floor clocks utilize chime tubes instead of rods. Tubes are 1" to 1 1'2" in diameter and 43" to 62" in length, and create an entirely different tonal quality.
A brief history of chiming clocks - The chiming clock is one of the most beautiful inventions ever developed by humankind. It combines the important ability to know the time with the sound of soothing bells that chime at fixed intervals. Chiming clocks have existed for over two thousand years, and it isn't hard to understand why they will continue to be treasured for many years to come.
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Striking Clocks Throughout History - Many methods have been used throughout history to keep track of time, with different societies employing different technological inventions. The earliest striking clock, which is a clock that strikes a bell once an hour, was invented in China as early as the first century A.D. The earliest chiming clock worked via a water wheel that would cause a bell to sound off every hour. One of the earliest gear-based chiming clocks was found in Syria, and by the 12th century A.D., these clocks had spread all over Europe. Many of these original chiming clock towers still stand today. For devotees of history, St. Mark's Clocktower in Venice, Italy, is one of the oldest and most beautiful chiming clocks still in use today. In fact, the central bell that rings is the same one that was installed back in 1497.
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Church Bells and the Dawn of Chiming Clocks - Where do our popular clock chime melodies come from? What made chiming clocks popular around the world? As early as the eighth century, Christian churches used chiming clocks to mark key hours and important services for communities. As Christianity spread and Christian churches were established around the world, they brought chiming clocks with them. As noted above, chiming clocks became mainstream throughout much of Europe, and were so popular that local governments often paid churches just to maintain their chiming clocks. The melodies used for chiming clocks in centuries past, based on Christian hymns, are still used in many chiming clocks throughout the world today.
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The Modern Chiming Clock: Chiming Mantel Clocks and More - The modern chiming clock is very similar to the chiming clocks used over the past several hundred years, though with some key innovations. There are more melodies and tunes available, and the cost of making chiming clocks has significantly decreased. Chiming clocks are also easier to maintain now, and they will often last for many years with minimal repairs.
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Video clip number - SDC11993
Filmed on Sunday 7th July 2024