BS: The Queen Elizabeth Tower

Subject: BS: The Queen Elizabeth Tower
From: Paul Burke
Date: 02 Jun 12 - 05:10 AM

Or Big Ben to most people.

It is reported that British members of parliament have voted to rename the clock tower of the London Houses of Parliament as the Queen Elizabeth Tower, in honour of her heroic and dogged determination to keep King Charles III waiting.

What a gesture! The Queen has nothing to do with the tower, which was built during the reign of Queen Victoria. It costs the MPs nothing, indeed by voting for it they can perhaps justify some of their expenses. Under its current misnomer (Big Ben is actually the bell) is is known and instantly recognised worldwide. A good conman could probably sell it- years ago it would have been to an American, today probably to a newly rich Chinese businessman.

The Romans renamed London Augusta. And how long that lasted.

Subject: RE: BS: The Queen Elizabeth Tower
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 02 Jun 12 - 05:48 AM

How many people know it is called St Stephen's now?
It will always be Big Ben.

Subject: RE: BS: The Queen Elizabeth Tower
From: Newport Boy
Date: 02 Jun 12 - 06:04 AM

Some idiot suggested it be renamed 'Big Beth'!

Phil

Subject: RE: BS: The Queen Elizabeth Tower
From: Leadfingers
Date: 02 Jun 12 - 09:26 AM

In Jez Lowe's 'Nearer to Nettles' it is referred to as 'The Tower of Big Ben' which is , at least more accurate than MOST names .

Subject: RE: BS: The Queen Elizabeth Tower
From: Ebbie
Date: 02 Jun 12 - 11:12 AM

And what did St Stephen have to do with it?

Subject: RE: BS: The Queen Elizabeth Tower
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 02 Jun 12 - 01:29 PM

Leadfingers, didn't the song by Roger Miller go,
"England swings like a pendulum do,
Bobbies on bicycles two by two,
Westminster Abbey, the Tower of Big Ben,
The rosy red cheeks of the little children" ?

England seems to be in a financial meltdown, the 'bobbies' are hiding in their squad cars, and the children have pasty white faces from sitting indoors at their computers! (But Westminster Abbey is still there, and the Tower of Big Ben...)

Subject: RE: BS: The Queen Elizabeth Tower
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 02 Jun 12 - 03:53 PM

76 years or so ago, aet 4, when I lived around those parts, I used to call the Golders Green Clock Tower "Little Ben". A handsome artefact, with IIRC various symbolic or memorial or whatever inscriptions on it {several good pix can be googled}. But can find nothing of its actual history or provenance. Probably WWi memorial? Anyone know, or can direct me to a site or ref book with such info?

~Michael~

Subject: RE: BS: The Queen Elizabeth Tower
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 02 Jun 12 - 06:16 PM

Michael, is it the Clock Tower War Memorial, Hendon? If so, it was built in 1923 to commemorate the Golders Green Fallen from WW1. If you Google it, there's some more info about it. Eliza

Subject: RE: BS: The Queen Elizabeth Tower
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 03 Jun 12 - 01:49 AM

Many thanks, Eliza. Wonder why it is 'listed' under that name, when it is right at Golders Green crossroads, which are not in Hendon tho previously part of that borough which no longer exists; and the plaque, it sez here, commemorates the war dead specifically of Golders Green; and most of its pix are googlable under title 'Golders Green Clock Tower', by which name it was always known in my childhood around there ~~ except, as I say, when I called it "Little Ben"! (so this not entirely drift!)

Your help greatly appreciated!

X❤♥MtheGM♥❤X

Subject: RE: BS: The Queen Elizabeth Tower
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 03 Jun 12 - 02:13 AM

Ebbie ~~

Good question: so I googled & found ~

"It is also called St. Stephen's Tower, a name given to the tower by Victorian journalists who also called the hall of parliament "St. Stephen's Hall". The Chapel of St. Stephen was originally built inside Westminster Palace as a private church for the king in the 13th-14th centuries (it took 70 years to complete). In 1547, parliament moved in and the chapel became the Commons Chamber. The House of Commons met there until the fire of 1834, which explains the use of the term St. Stephen's Hall as used by journalists." from 'Neatorama' website

Regards

~M~

Subject: RE: BS: The Queen Elizabeth Tower
From: Ebbie
Date: 03 Jun 12 - 04:06 AM

Thanks, Michael.

I am reminded forcibly of the truism: Brits think 100 miles is a long distance and Americans think 100 years is a long time. The only things I have ever lived amongst and admired that were really, really old was mountains and the ocean... My guess is that a psychic would go bonkers among all the layers of time and its peoples.

Subject: RE: BS: The Queen Elizabeth Tower
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 03 Jun 12 - 12:05 PM

Guest, Eliza:
Leadfingers, didn't the song by Roger Miller go,
"England swings like a pendulum do,
Bobbies on bicycles two by two,
Westminster Abbey, the Tower of Big Ben,
The rosy red cheeks of the little children" ?

I recall the lyrics as "Westminster Abbey, The Tower, Big Ben"
So three listings, the Abbey, The Tower (of London) & The bell (or possibly the clock-tower)

Cheers

Nigel

Subject: RE: BS: The Queen Elizabeth Tower
From: Ebbie
Date: 03 Jun 12 - 12:42 PM

England swings like a pendulum do,
Bobbies on bicycles, two by two,
Westminster Abbey the tower of Big Ben,
The rosy red cheeks of the little children.

Now, if you huff and puff and you fina'lly save enough
Money up to take your family on a trip across the sea,
Take a tip before you take your trip; let me tell you where to go,
Go to Engeland, Oh;

Mama's old pajamas and your papa's mustache,
Falling out the window sill, frolic in the grass,
Tryin' to mock the way they talk fun but all in vain,
Gaping at the dapper men with derby hats and canes

Subject: RE: BS: The Queen Elizabeth Tower
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Jun 12 - 10:34 PM

In a roundabout way, there's a folk music connection. Benjamin Hall's wife, Augusta, was a zealous collector of Welsh folk lore, costume, music, etc. Probably batty as anything that has ever taken up residence in the bell tower, but still owed a debt of gratitude by all of us who are interested in that sort of thing!

sian

Subject: RE: BS: The Queen Elizabeth Tower
From: keberoxu
Date: 15 Jun 16 - 03:24 PM

And, while Charles III is kept waiting, a little digression:

Recently on Broadway there was a play called "Charles III" showing the present Prince of Wales having completed the succession to the throne. The title role was played by Tim Pigott-Smith (not sure of spelling), whom I recall from the PBS adaptation, years ago, of The Jewel in the Crown. His performance was notorious, because of his role: the arch-villainous "psycho" character of Merrick.