When Tom stood in for Ben, 1956
Andrew Martin
BBC Genome
As the chimes of Big Ben are temporarily taken out of use, a look back at the BBC’s listings reminds that this is not the first time the clock has had a period of silence.
In 1956, Big Ben was “rested" while repair work was carried out on the Clock Tower (now known as the Elizabeth Tower). This was reflected in Radio Times listings, where from 2 July until 23 December the regular broadcasts of Big Ben (billed at midnight and 9am on the Light Programme and 6.30am and 9pm on the Home Service) were substituted by Great Tom, housed in the clock tower of St. Paul's Cathedral.
The Home Service broadcast a programme to mark the occasion on 2 July, with commentators John Snagge and Wynford Vaughan Thomas broadcasting live respectively from the "Big Ben tower" and St. Paul's.
Great Tom also substituted for Big Ben during a previous refurbishment in 1934. In 1956, the repairs were part of the ongoing restoration work following damage inflicted on the Palace of Westminster during World War Two.
This time round on the BBC, Radio 4, which broadcasts the sound of Big Ben's chimes, has announced that a recording will be used while the bells are silent.
