A local Birkenhead resident, Josephine Wood eloquently summed up local concerns on Wirral Council stopping the Town Halls’ Westminster Chimes:
‘For 63 long years, the resonance of the Birkenhead Town Hall clock chiming has woven itself into the fabric of my existence. It paints audible strokes on the canvas of our shared experiences and serves as a quiet, steady narrator of our collective timeline.’
There are heritage concerns as well as social and cultural ones. We think primarily about visual impacts upon the conservation area but it also has a soundscape that contributes to its character and appearance. The changes to the chimes have significantly diminished the rich soundscape of Hamilton Square.
The concerns of the complainant should not be ignored but many have questioned whether alternatives, such as sound insulation in his flat or alternative accommodation (if he is a tenant) have been fully explored by the council. If he has bought his flat, then surely he would have known about the chimes before making the decision to buy the property and caveat emptor applies.
We hope that, when this single complainant moves out of the area, the council will see fit to restore the full Westminster chimes that so many people cherish.’
If you are not happy with Wirral Council’s decision, you can join the growing number, and sign the petition set up by local resident Josephine Wood here.