Bells ring out to mark start of Olympic Games

Fri, 27 Jul 2012

Bells have rung around the Island today to mark the start of the Olympic Games.

The Diocese of Sodor and Man is following the UK’s lead and rang in the start of the sporting event.

In London Big Ben chimed more than 40 times between 8.12am and 8.15am as part of a spectacle arranged by Turner Prize winning artist Martin Creed.

Mr Creed was aiming to set a world record for the most number of bells rang simultaneously.

It’s also believed to be the first time Big Ben has chimed outside its regular schedule since the funeral of King George VI in 1952.

The Island’s Bishop, Robert Patterson, said although it was a late-planned event the Island would be joining in at the same time as Big Ben.