City clock tower strikes 12.00pm today

Suburban clock tower - chimes at 12:00pm

These are the notes we use for Westminster Chimes and hour striking.

F A G c, F G A F, A F G c, c G A F, - c c c c c c c c 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.

Timekeeping: Historically, bells were used to mark the time of day, and some churches continue this practice, ringing bells for longer periods to indicate the hour. Overall, the practice of ringing church bells varies widely based on local customs, religious significance, and community needs.

Bells ring at different times for various reasons, often related to religious practices, timekeeping, and community notifications. Historically, bells were crucial for marking time, especially before widespread mechanical clocks, and also for announcing church services, important events, and even emergencies.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:
1. Timekeeping: Marking Hours:
Churches often ring bells to indicate the time, with chimes on the hour, half-hour, and quarter-hour.
Daily Offices:
Bells can also mark specific times for prayer or other religious observances, like the Angelus (a Catholic devotion) at 6 am, noon, and 6 pm, according to Wikipedia.
Regulating Daily Life:
Historically, bells helped synchronize daily activities like work and meals, especially before widespread personal timekeeping devices, according to Quora.
2. Religious Practices: Calling to Worship:
Bells are rung to announce the start of church services or other religious gatherings.
Angelus:
The Angelus, a Catholic prayer, is often associated with bell ringing at specific times (6 am, noon, 6 pm), according to Wikipedia.
Other Religious Observances:
Bells can be rung to mark other significant moments in religious ceremonies or to call people to prayer.
3. Community Notifications:
Funerals and Weddings: Bells may be rung to announce a death or a wedding, often with distinct tolls.
Emergencies: In the past, bells were used to alert the community to fires or other dangers.
Celebrations: Bells can also be rung to celebrate victories or other joyous occasions.
4. Symbolic and Cultural Significance:
Spiritual Symbolism:
Bells have deep symbolic meaning in many cultures, representing the divine, communication with the spiritual world, and the call to worship.
Historical Tradition:
The ringing of bells is a long-standing custom, even as mechanical clocks have become more common.
Unique Local Customs:
Some bells may ring for unique local reasons, such as commemorating a specific historical event.
While the prevalence of bells ringing for timekeeping has decreased with the rise of personal timepieces, bells still play a significant role in religious life, community notifications, and cultural traditions.


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