Big Ben will chime with ‘All the Bells’
25 July 2012 (updated on 25 July 2012)
Big Ben will chime 40 times for three minutes on Friday 27 July at 08.12 as part of a mass bell-ringing event marking the start of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Big Ben will be rung by hand, unlike the hourly chimes, which are automated. Friday's event is part of the art project Work No.1197 where all the bells in the country are rung as quickly and loudly as possible for three minutes.
House of Commons Speaker, Rt Hon John Bercow MP said:
"It is a sign of how special this summer is when one of the world’s most famous bells will ring outside its regular schedule so it can be part of this London 2012 Festival commission to ring in the Olympic Games.
I am delighted we can play our part in this Martin Creed artwork. This is primarily a work for every community within the UK to embrace as their own but it is also important for our famous landmarks to be represented when the eyes of the world will be on us."
The ringing will be attended by the Speaker of the House of Commons, Rt Hon John Bercow MP; Lord Tony Hall, Chair of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad Board; and bell ringers from other organisations.
Anyone can take part by ringing any kind of bell for three minutes on Friday. To get involved, all individuals, organisations and communities are encouraged to register online at All the Bells