Schoolgirl volunteers to voice Big Ben 'bongs' while it's under repair - gets amazing reply
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Early next year, Big Ben will fall silent.
The famous bell, housed in Elizabeth Tower, will cease to chime due to urgent repairs to the building and clock itself.
The tower overall hasn't been extensively maintained in 31 years and if it's left much longer there's a real risk the clock will stop keeping proper time. The £29 million works at London's Houses of Parliament will take about three years; the clock mechanism will be out of action for "several months".
"During this period there will be no chiming or striking," parliament says on its website.
"Striking and tolling will be maintained for important events."
The best letter
Because of all this, a brilliant young schoolgirl wrote to BBC Radio 4, home of the World at One, offering to replace 'Big Ben's Bongs (lack of)', which mark the beginning of the programme, with her own voice.
It's a marvellous proposition. Equally enjoyable is editor Roger Sawyer's reply. He took the time to write back to the youngster, addressed as Miss Hanson, thanking her for her "very imaginative idea" – but also pointing out that the task might be a little too much for someone still at school.
"Some of the cleverest and most important people at the BBC are scratching their heads, wondering quite what to do," writes Sawyer.
He mentions a previous period in which Big Ben was temporarily stopped. Back then, the show aired birdsong in its stead.
Sawyer continues: "I must say I was very much taken with your idea...and have passed it on to those who make the decisions.
(Image: Getty)
"As you know, the Bongs are live ...and (you may not know this) the beginning of the Westminster Chimes (the bit that goes BimBom BimBobBimBom before the first BOOONNNGGGGGGGGGG!) is always at a slightly different time (which is why you sometimes hear someone accidentally talking when they start).
"It depends on things like temperature and atmospheric pressure and stuff like that."
Then Sawyer addresses the fact that the young letter writer might not be able to do the Bongs, as they're broadcast live.
"You'd have to rush in after school each day (and at the weekend), rush home for tea, homework, a bit of chillin' , then a quick sleep.
"And then – here's the hard bit – you'd have to rush back in again at midnight, because there are live bongs again before the midnight news.
"Thats an awful lot of work for someone who is still quite young. I know I wouldn't like to do all that".
We hope she gets a chance to do it once...
(Image: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)
Sawyer thanks Miss Hanson for writing in. He also mentions that he's impressed she listens to Radio 4 , which is known for broadcasting quite high-brow programmes and discussions.
I once tuned in and heard: "Next, we ask: who put the Buzzard, in Leighton Buzzard?"
Of course, it's unlikely that Miss Hanson will be handed the position of Chief Chimer.
But we must hope – we must all hope – that she's brought in as a special guest to do it just once...you know, as it's Christmas.
This article first appeared in December 2016