Big Ben

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 12, 4 October 1929, Page 10

Big Ben

Time of Striking Controversy N the September 27 issue of the "Radio Record," there appears a paragraph stating that advice has been received by Mr. 'T. P. Sewell, of Christchurch, from the authorities at 58W to the effect that "Big Ben" is only broadcast at midnight. The same state ment was published in the Christchurch "Star" on Thursday, September 12, and a controversy was carried on in this paper for some days in connection therewith. Howeéver, to clear up the matter, I arranged for the following reply-paid cablegram to be sent to the British Broadcasting Corporation. namely: "Does 5SW, Chelmsford, ever radiate Big Ben at 7 p.m.?" A reply was received on September 17 as follows: "Iondon, September 16: Big Ben, yes, Monday to Friday inclusive,

programme permitting. British Broad-

east ing."

L. P.

Simpson

Christ-

church).

JN this week’s "Record," in referring to the letter I received: from the B.B.C. in answer to my question as to when "Big Ben" was broadcast, the word "only" has been put in which should not be. ‘This letter caused some ‘discussion in Christchurch. So much so that one listener sent a replypaid cable to the B.B.C. as follows "Is Big Ben ‘ever’: broadcast at 7 p.m," Note the word "ever." The reply was: "Yes, Mondays to Fridays ‘if’ programmes permit." My letter apparently was contradicted by the cable, but, when the matter is properly summed up, in my opinion it amounts to this: "Big Ben" is scheduled and can be depended on to be heard by anyone able to tune in 5SW at our time equivalent to midnight in Dngland, and it is only problematical when "Big Ben" is broadcast at other hours as the "if programmes permit" signifies, so that both my letter and also the cable are quite correct. I am waiting further replies from the B.B.O. on the subject. I also enclose a cutting from "Popular Wireless" which shows that what my letter stated is quite correct.-T. P. Sewell (Ohristchurch). "While it is true that in England the programmes and times of transmission of the principal broadcasting stations are given by the B.B.C. in its publication, ‘World Radio,’ according to Greenwich Mean Time or Summer Time, persons in other parts of the world have to make their own calculations. Here, at. Constantinople, our local time is about two hours ahead of Greenwich, so that midday in Hngland is 2 p.m. with us, and if we wish to hear Big Ben striking midnight (as we sometimes do to remind us of home), we have to sit up until 2am. But it is well worth the trouble to hear his cheerful voice."