General News
22 September, 2023
Twin chimes ring out over CBD
Regular patrons of the northern end of Scott Street might have noticed a new dimension to the atmosphere, with chimes ringing out on the hour following the installation of a new set of chimes at the Town Hall. The original set of chimes has been...
Regular patrons of the northern end of Scott Street might have noticed a new dimension to the atmosphere, with chimes ringing out on the hour following the installation of a new set of chimes at the Town Hall.
The original set of chimes has been a delightful addition to the south end of Scott Street's business area, ringing out from the Parkinson building for the past 12 years.
Proprietor of the building, John Parkinson, has had many positive comments and visits from the public regarding the chimes over that period.
Due to Mr Parkinson’s generosity, a second set of chimes has been purchased as he wanted another set to be placed at the northern end of Scott Street.
He approached the Town Hall committee and after Heritage Victoria gave its approval the chimes have now been installed and are working.
Mr Parkinson has made a wooden container to house the mechanism in the art deco style.
The chime is similar to Big Ben in London.
The Westminster Chime strikes every 15 minutes and strikes the hour.
It is based on a theme taken from Handel’s Messiah.
One important difference from the London chime is that it is set to silence from 8pm to 7am.
A special thanks has been extended to local senior consulting engineer Andrew Bish (also known as “the rocket scientist”), who donated a new mobile phone to serve as the “brain” of the chime.