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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 'Temperamental' Big Ben was ringing up to six seconds late | 'Temperamental' Big Ben was ringing up to six seconds late |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| The bongs of Big Ben have been ringing at the wrong time over the past fortnight, parliament's clocksmiths have admitted. | The bongs of Big Ben have been ringing at the wrong time over the past fortnight, parliament's clocksmiths have admitted. |
| The 156-year-old Great Clock went out by up to six seconds because it is "temperamental", according to clocksmith Ian Westworth. | The 156-year-old Great Clock went out by up to six seconds because it is "temperamental", according to clocksmith Ian Westworth. |
| Mechanics discovered it became delayed over the weekend of 15 and 16 August but have now gradually fixed it. | Mechanics discovered it became delayed over the weekend of 15 and 16 August but have now gradually fixed it. |
| A parliament spokesperson said it is now accurate to less than one second. | A parliament spokesperson said it is now accurate to less than one second. |
| It is not known what caused the clock's time to change so much. | It is not known what caused the clock's time to change so much. |
| 'It does have a little fit' | 'It does have a little fit' |
| The Great Clock is considered to be within its "normal parameters" if it strikes within two seconds of the correct time. | The Great Clock is considered to be within its "normal parameters" if it strikes within two seconds of the correct time. |
| Mr Westworth said the fault had been detected on 17 August and adjustments were made to the system, although this caused the clock to run too fast at times. | Mr Westworth said the fault had been detected on 17 August and adjustments were made to the system, although this caused the clock to run too fast at times. |
| The incorrect chimes had caused interruptions to BBC Radio 4, which broadcasts the sound of Big Ben live. | The incorrect chimes had caused interruptions to BBC Radio 4, which broadcasts the sound of Big Ben live. |
| The clock is altered by adding and removing old coins from its pendulum to change the rate at which it swings. | |
| The clocksmith said the age of the clock means that "it does have a little fit every now and then". | The clocksmith said the age of the clock means that "it does have a little fit every now and then". |
| "Imagine running your car for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for the last 156 years," he added. | "Imagine running your car for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for the last 156 years," he added. |
| Routine checks on the clock's performance are being made every day, rather than three times a week, to keep it accurate. | Routine checks on the clock's performance are being made every day, rather than three times a week, to keep it accurate. |
| Mechanics are investigating whether the fault was caused by changes to the pendulum. | Mechanics are investigating whether the fault was caused by changes to the pendulum. |
| A parliament spokesperson said air pressure and temperature, the escapement mechanism and problems with the gears could all affect the clock's mechanism. | A parliament spokesperson said air pressure and temperature, the escapement mechanism and problems with the gears could all affect the clock's mechanism. |