A LANCASTER choir has recorded a special CD based on hand-written music manuscripts recently rediscovered after nearly 200 years.

The eight manuscript books have been handed down from generation to generation of the Winder family in the Forest of Bowland but on May 6 the 18th century music will be brought to life by the Gladly Solemn Sound.

The books contain sacred and dance music that would have accompanied church worship in the Dolphinholme and Abbeystead areas and were all hand written by an ancestor of local builder, Bill Winder.

The manuscripts were examined by local enthusiasts and the Gladly Solemn Sound choir decided to bring the music back to life and record a special CD.

"When we got access to these manuscripts we were very excited. A lot of work has gone into them and at the end of the dance section there's even a "hooray" in the margin which shows that whoever wrote it was glad to get it finished," said one of the choir members, Ian Wilson.

"Choirs and bands playing these tunes would have accompanied church services and also played at local functions. Known as West Gallery performers they were eventually replaced by new church organs and choristers. There's one song called "Abbeystead" which we think is totally unique and we thought it would be a great idea to record some of them on CD."

To launch the CD the Gladly Solemn Sound will be holding a concert of songs from the rediscovered manuscripts at St John's Church, Lancaster on May 6 at 7.30pm.

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