Current & recently completed jobs
Kingston,
Dorset
St.James. 10 bells, tenor 26-3-16 in D
The heavy ring of eight bells have now been augmented to ten with the
addition of two trebles cast by Taylors of Loughborough. All framework
and fittings designed and supplied by Nicholson Engineering. Installation
was under the supervision of Andrew Nicholson working with the local ringers.
Completed 18th August, 2000.
Brampton
Ash, Northamptonshire
St.Mary the Virgin. 6 bells, tenor 11-1-2 in
G
Last rehung in 1895 with new frame and fittings, little other than the
most basic maintenance had been done since. Nicholson Engineering were
contracted to undertake a full overhaul and restoration including rehanging
with new gudgeons and bearings. After dismantling it was discovered that
the steelwork to the bellframe was near the end of its useful life and
complete reconstruction of the bellframe is currently in hand. Completion
scheduled for 1st December, 2000.
Widecombe
in the Moor
St.Pancras. 6 bells, tenor 12-3-14 in E
Last rehung in the 1930's in an oak bellframe, the relatively modern frame
had sadly become dangerous due to serious decay of its foundation joists.
The permeability of the Granite from which the tower is built was mainly
responsible for the decay. The bells have now been rehung in an entirely
new heavy hot-dip galvanized fabricated steel bellframe, all the fittings
being overhauled and the bells rehung with new bearings. 
The
bellframe has been constructed for six bells but with a grillage designed
to allow easy augmentation to eight. Completed 8th September, 2000. Repairs
to the tower continue.
Kenton,
Devon
All Saints'. 6 bells, tenor c.131/2
cwt, keynote dependent
on tuning.
The six bells, mainly by Thomas Bilbie II of Cullompton, are being rehung
with entirely new ringing fittings in the existing bellframe by Nicholson
Engineering. At the same time the bells are being retuned by the Whitechapel
Bell Foundry. Completion scheduled for 10th November, 2000.
West
Lydford, Somerset
St.Peter. 6 bells, tenor c.131/2
cwt
in F
By a mixture of founders the six bells were rehung by Warners of London,
probably in the 1920's, with a new cast-iron and steel bellframe and all
new ringing fittings. The bellframe was not well designed and this allied
to poor construction of the tower led to severe structural distress. The
tower is being repaired and strengthened. Nicholson Engineering are rehanging
the bells using mainly original ringing fittings in a completely new bellframe
supported on a double foundation of steel joists, all carefully designed
to take full account of the structural weaknesses to the tower. Completion
scheduled for 15th December, 2000.
Willoughby,
Warwickshire
St.Nicholas. 6 bells, tenor 141/4
cwt in F
The bells are rung from the ground floor of the west end tower. In the
clock chamber is a large c18th chime barrel. Unfortunately the only way
of pulling of the chiming hammers is by a crude system in the clock chamber
and this has led to severe damage to the mechanism in the past, visiting
ringers often being unaware of the arrangement. We are currently installing
a proper pull-off mechanism, together with a lever in the ringing chamber.
Completion imminent.
Laira,
Devon
St.Mary the Virgin. 8 bells, tenor 11-0-6 in
G
The church previously had a single bell by Llewellins & James of Bristol
which was taken into stock by us and has now been sold to Kirkby Malham
in Yorkshire to become part of a new ring of six. A completely new Whitechapel
eight has now been supplied and installed by Nicholson Engineering, the
result receiving wide acclaim from ringers and parishioners alike. Completed
21st July, 2000.
Petworth,
West Sussex
St.Mary the Virgin. 8 bells, tenor 18-0-9 in
E
Following a broken gudgeon to the fourth Nicholson Engineering were contracted
to replace both gudgeons, at the same overhauling or replacing some other
parts of the fittings. All dismantling and reassembly is being undertaken
by the local ringers. From commencement to completion the work should
be complete in just two weeks, demonstrating the speed with which we can
deal with emergency work.
Coates,
Gloucestershire
St.Mary the Virgin. 2 bells, largest c.11 cwt
Both bells by Rudhall, the smallest had become very badly cracked and
all its fittings and framework were derelict. The bell has now been welded
by Soundweld. Nicholson Engineering have 
designed
and made new framework and fittings and rehung the bell. Completed 31st
August, 2000.
Stanley,
Hong Kong
St.Stephen
The chapel is superbly located on the top of a hill at the neck of the
Stanley peninsula on the south of Hong Kong island. Of relatively modern
construction the church was never provided with a bell. Earlier this year
we took into stock the old tenor from Wapley in Gloucestershire where
we remodelled and augmented the bells. The bell has now been restored
and is to be hung for stationary chiming including an electric tolling
hammer complete with full electronic control. Bell due to be shipped end
September 2000. Completion scheduled for end November 2000 following installation
entirely by local labour.
Amesbury,
Wiltshire
SS Mary & Melorus. 8 bells, tenor 18 cwt in Eb
This previously notoriously difficult ring of eight were rehung by us
last year with entirely new fittings in the old bellframe, tuning being
by The Whitechapel Bell Foundry. The parish has now had the restoration
of the clock attended to and we are undertaking the restoration and
modification of the clock hammers as part of that work. Completion scheduled
for 19th September, 2000.
See also Works Shortly to be Undertaken and New Projects