Socon, was the contractor, and much other work was done by local people. A new altar was made from a slab of Derbyshire stone, weighing 12 cwt (600 kg) . In due course eight new bells were cast, in part from the metal of the old bells, but forming two more bells than the six former bells. Sir Edward Elgar was asked to compose a chime for striking the hour, but although he agreed, he seems to have been dilatory. However eventually his manuscript was received, but now the Parochial Church Council decided to ask for local compositions. This caused considerable controversy, quite apart from the discourtesy to Elgar, and in fact the chimes composed by S G Wilkinson, the Eaton Socon organist, were used. Percy Bentham, the stonemason, carved a reference to the conflict in a corbel to the right of the north door: it shows a satyr snatching the pipes from the mouth of a musician. A statement of expense dated 8 February 1936 shows expenditure of nearly £22,880, of which £18,000 was covered by insurance. Betjeman later wrote: Almost completely destroyed by fire in 1930, this church was formerly a 15th century enlargement and completion of a 14th century building famed for its poppy headed pew ends. The reconstruction by Richardson, using local craftsman, is excellent. Since the fire swept from the east, the chancel suffered least and although it was gutted its delicate perpendicular windows were reparable. The architect of the 1930s reconstruction was Albert Richardson and local craftspeople were employed. Much work on the rebuilding of the church was by Percy George Bentham, including "a rood screen, choir benches, parclose screens, roofing, and the organ case, all in Suffolk oak. The stone carving includes many symbolical corbel groups and portraits. Among the faces are those of the Bishop of St. Albans, the Archdeacon of Bedford, the vicar of Eaton Socon, the churchwardens, the architect, the clerk of the works, and the builders' foreman." Events Traditional May Day celebrations have until recently taken place every year on the green by St Mary's church. Housing and demography Most, 65.8%, of housing is owned (with/without mortgage); the next largest category is 22.5% which is socially rented, including 5.4% from the district council directly. 1.7% of the 2,489 homes had (in 2011) no usual residents. Transport The Great North Road runs through the centre of Eaton Socon on a