Lincolnshire Surprise Major at Bray, Berkshire

An excerpt from a quarter peal of Lincolnshire Surprise Major, rung at St Michael’s Church, Bray, on Sunday, 2nd of February 2024.
St Michael’s boasts a grand peal of eight bells in D Major, known for their booming, growling tone that fills the tower with a powerful sound. Despite being cast by a mix of different founders, they blend remarkably well, with Gillett & Johnston being the most common. The tenor, cast in 1656 by Ellis II & Henry III Knight, produces a Major third sound strikingly similar to those of Gillett & Johnston. With their smooth handling and rich resonance, these bells make for an easy-going and enjoyable eight. The six largest bells were cast between 1612 and 1914, while the treble and second were added in 1948.
In the early 20th century, the bells were installed in an unusual steel frame, which, while innovative at the time, was never entirely satisfactory. The frame’s movement made the bells challenging to ring, and by the 1980s, structural engineers raised concerns about possible damage to the stonework. In 1985, the Whitechapel Bell Foundry rehung the bells in a new frame, retuned them, and provided updated fittings, greatly improving their performance.
The present church was built around 1294, replacing an earlier Saxon structure. Local legend suggests that the original church at Water Oakley was either abandoned due to the villagers’ reluctance to maintain it or, in a more mythical version, demons were said to have torn it down each night!
A few elements of the older building survive. In the Chantry Chapel of Our Lady, a mysterious carving, possibly a dog or horse, is built into the outer wall. High up among the rafters, an unusual Sheela-na-Gig, a pre-Christian fertility symbol, serves as a rare reminder of ancient beliefs that once coexisted with Christianity.
Built in the Early English Gothic style, St Michael’s underwent major expansions in the 14th century, including the addition of its impressive tower. Despite being in a small village, the church is surprisingly large, reflecting its historical role as the parish church for numerous manors and hamlets scattered across Windsor Forest. Over the centuries, local lords funded additions such as the Foxley Chapel of All Saints and the Norreys Chapel of St Nicholas, both of which contain beautifully preserved memorials to influential families.
Inside, monuments and brasses commemorate figures like Sir John Foxley and Sir John Norreys, whose lives shaped the area’s history. One of Bray’s most famous historical figures is Simon Alleyn, known as the ‘Singing-Vicar’ and celebrated in the folk song The Vicar of Bray. Serving from 1523 to 1565, he navigated the tumultuous religious changes of his time, becoming a symbol of adaptability, or pragmatism!
Tenor 24-3-27 in D
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[@RingerOliver59]

Great audio!

[@RingerThomas]

Thank you! The Zoom does a good job!