Bellringing in the belfry at Redcliffe, Bristol - Bristol Surprise Maximus

In my opinion, the award for the finest ‘heavy’ twelve in the UK - the largest ring of bells in a parish church - goes to St Mary Redcliffe Church in the City of Bristol. Despite their mixed ages, founders, and the funny distribution of weight around the back, they form a splendid ring - they sound and go like top notch. Included are two very special pieces: the 50cwt tenor bell, recast by Taylors in 1903 and the historic 1622 Roger Purdue 11th, which is very powerful even though it is almost half a ton underweight. It is said that the tenor was cast extra-heavy to be able to properly compete with this fabulous bell. Also of note is the 1763 Thomas Bilbie 10th. In 2012 the old eighth, which was of poor quality, was replaced by a modern Taylor bell.
In this recording we are hear Bristol Surprise Maximus on an advanced practice night in November 2022. I give thanks to Philip Pratt for the use of his belfry mcrophones (connected to my Zoom H4n) and also to Jack Pease (bellminsterboy) for enhancing my recordings. :)
Please enjoy the video!
0:00 Bristol
9:27 Tenor Solo

[@bellminsterboy]

My pleasure, one of my all time favourite twelves!

[@BellringerBen]

These are one of my favourite rings of 12. The 11th is one hell of a bell for 25cwt! Can see why the tenor is twice the size!

[@wrogers433]

Probably the best ring of 12 out there for me nothing can really beat them in terms of tonal quality and the go of them. Great video and recordings

[@Steven_Rowe]

Those pre war Taylor heavy tenors have a real drone to them which I look.

[@RingerPeter]

Commented 🤪🙃

[@dylanthomas1394]

Can U stop doing that 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@RingerPeter]

@@dylanthomas1394 make me 🤣🤣

[@dylanthomas1394]

@@RingerPeter I know where you live 😏😏

[@Orgelix]

@@dylanthomas1394 🤣

[@RingerPeter]

@@dylanthomas1394 uhhhhhhhhh crap 🤫😬🤣

[@lorentz_transform]

Lovely video, but they're ringing Avon Delight, not Bristol.

[@kiwibellringer9729]

cheers!