Big Ben bongs RETURN: Iconic chimes herald in Britain's Christmas celebrations
BIG Ben's bongs have triumphantly returned today as its iconic chimes were restored to mark the Christmas festive period.
Big Ben's bongs returned this morning at 9am for the first time since Remembrance Sunday.
The iconic chimes will continue to ring out over the Christmas period after the building work on the clock tower temporarily stopped to mark the holiday season.
The hourly bongs were reinstated to herald in the festive celebrations but will cease once again at 1pm on New Year's Day.
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This means that people in the UK can celebrate the countdown to the New Year with the toll of Big Ben's bells at midnight on December 31st.
The bell was first silenced in August because of "crucial repairs" being made to the Elizabeth Tower.
This sparked controversy as the renovation is set to take around four years to complete.
However, the bongs will return to mark special events, such as Remembrance Sunday, and national celebrations, like New Year's Eve.
At the beginning of 2018, the Great Clock will be dismantled piece by piece, and each cog will be examined and restored.
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The joyful striking of Big Ben will ring in the festive season for Londoners, visitors, and the millions of viewers who use it as a focal point to celebrate the New Year
Steve Jaggs, Keeper of the Great Clock, said: "The joyful striking of Big Ben will ring in the festive season for Londoners, visitors, and the millions of viewers who use it as a focal point to celebrate the New Year.
"Big Ben falling silent has been a significant milestone in this crucial conservation project, but it has always been planned that its chimes would ring out across Whitehall for special occasions, where possible.
"As Keeper of the Great Clock, my team of clock makers and I have the great honour of ensuring this beautiful piece of Victorian engineering remains an accurate time piece on a daily basis.
"This essential programme of works will safeguard it future generations, as well as protecting and conserving the Elizabeth Tower."
