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Westminster chime

The Westminster Chimes are a set of musical bell patterns traditionally used by many clock towers, including the famous Big Ben in London. They consist of a sequence of chimes played at specific intervals—typically every quarter-hour—along with a longer, distinctive melody on the hour that often includes striking the number of hours. These chimes serve to mark the passage of time audibly, providing a familiar and aesthetically pleasing sound that signals time to the public. They are recognized worldwide and are often associated with classic clock clocks and chime melodies.