"Nequid pereat" is a Latin phrase meaning "Let nothing perish" or "That nothing may be lost". It is famously inscribed on the exterior face of the 14th-century astronomical clock at Wells Cathedral, serving as a reminder to cherish time, ensure nothing is wasted, and promote conservation.
The clock, dating back to the 14th century, carries the Latin inscription "Nequid Pereat," meaning "Let nothing perish." It serves as a reminder of the importance of preservation and reflection, a fitting thought as we look forward to the year ahead.
The famous Wells clock is considered to be the second oldest clock mechanism in Britain, and probably in the world, to survive in original condition and still in use. The original works were made about 1390 and the clock face is the oldest surviving original of its kind anywhere.
The first is that it was named after Sir Benjamin Hall, the first commissioner of works, a large man who was known affectionately in the house as "Big Ben". The second theory is that it was named after a heavyweight boxing champion at that time, Benjamin Caunt.
The Salisbury Cathedral clock, which dates back to 1386, doesn't have a face. It also doesn't work like modern clocks – it has to be wound up and chimes after a certain period of time. The sound was used to call people to prayer at Salisbury Cathedral. Learn more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct4y5d.
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What do Brits call Big Ben?
In June 2012, the House of Commons announced that the clock tower housing Big Ben would be renamed Elizabeth Tower in honor of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. Expanding upon a tradition of naming towers, this change reflected the enduring respect for the monarchy within the UK Parliament.
What year did they not change the clock in the UK?
The UK didn't change its clocks during a three-year experiment from 1968 to 1971, known as British Standard Time (BST), where clocks stayed an hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) year-round; it was discontinued due to concerns about darker winter mornings, especially in Scotland, despite initial benefits. There was also a period during World War II when the UK used British Double Summer Time (BDST) for productivity, keeping clocks two hours ahead of GMT in summer and one hour ahead in winter.
Big Ben is probably the world's most famous clock. That iconic silhouette is instantly recognisable and is one of the most Instagrammed landmarks on the planet. Six monarchs and 41 prime ministers have come and gone since the bells first struck their now familiar music across Westminster.
Eventually, the Tower became used principally as a secure store for documents, armaments and jewels, instead of prisoners. However, it still remained best known as a dark place of execution and torture. This is largely because of the Tower's growing popularity as a tourist attraction in the 19th century.
A pro-Palestinian protester who climbed the clock tower of Big Ben barefoot and spent more than 16 hours perched on a ledge has been safely brought down by emergency services. Pictures from the scene showed the man being lifted to the ground in a cherry picker.
Wells Cathedral is a popular filming location, appearing in major productions like Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023), 3 Body Problem (2024), Wolf Hall, Hellboy (2019), The Huntsman: Winter's War, and the comedy classic Hot Fuzz (2007), often standing in for historical settings, fantasy worlds, or even alien planets due to its stunning architecture, cloisters, and Vicar's Close.
The book remains the authoritative work on the marine chronometer. Today the restored H1, H2, H3, and H4 timepieces can be seen on display in the Royal Observatory at Greenwich.
It is the nickname of the Clock tower of the Palace of Westminster. Technically, Big Ben is the massive bell inside the clock tower, which weighs more than 13 tons. It is officially known as Elizabeth Tower since 2012 in honour of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.
What figures chase themselves every 15 minutes on the Wells Cathedral Clock?
Above the clock and to the right is a figure, known as Jack Blandifers, or Blandiver, who hits a bell with a hammer held in his right hand and two bells hung beneath him with his heels. A set of jousting knights also chase each other every 15 minutes.
The Bloody Tower consists of an upper and lower chamber. It derives its name from the 1560s when the two princes are believed to have been murdered by their uncle Richard III in the upper chamber.
How many skeletons have been found in the Tower of London?
So far during the 2025 dig, the team has uncovered the remains of more than 20 individuals, including a 14th century collection of burials, which may be a mass grave, possibly related to the Black Death. Multiple skeletons from the late 12th or early 13th century have also been uncovered.
Can you still buy ceramic poppies from Tower of London?
As of November 2018, the two sculptures entered into the Imperial War Museums Collection. The poppies from these two sculptures are not, and will not be for sale.
The Clock of the Long Now, also called the 10,000-year clock, is a mechanical clock under construction that is designed to keep time for 10,000 years. It is being built by the Long Now Foundation. A two-meter prototype is on display at the Science Museum in London.
The clock and tower were renovated between 2017 and 2021, during which the bells remained silent (with a few exceptions). During this time, the BBC broadcast a recording of the bells on radio in replacement before news.
According to the online museum WebExhibits, the 2 a.m. change was also a convenient middle ground between midnight—when changing the clocks would require the date switching back to the previous day—and later in the morning, when early shift workers and churchgoers might be affected.
These early methods laid the groundwork for future advancements in timekeeping. Hipparchus and the Birth of the 24-Hour Day: It was the Greek astronomer Hipparchus, in the 2nd century BCE, who introduced the concept of dividing the day into 24 equal parts, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of time.
