The bells ring out once more
In 2007, the Vicar and Parochial Church Council of the Abbey Church, Romsey commissioned R Moulding & Co as main contractors to remove and reinstate the bells and bell frame at the Abbey.
The project involved safely facilitating the removal and reinstatement of the bells and 17th century bell frame (carried out by Whites of Appleton) as well as the removal of the earlier bell frame (dating from 1624).
This process also involved the installation of a new structure to support the new frame as well as the provision of acoustic insulation.
In addition, repairs were carried out to the existing structure. These included steel and resin repairs under the direction of Andrew Waring, Structural Engineer.
This was no straightforward building contract. The work was extremely hazardous because the scaffolding, bells, framework and structural timbers had to be hoisted 30 metres directly up from the central crossing, while the Abbey continued to be in daily use.
Our expert team of craftsmen rose to the challenge and were able to successfully complete this complex project. The bells of Romsey Abbey are once more where they belong.
Raising the roof to replace the roof
In 2006 The Churches Conservation Trust employed R Moulding & Co to work on the roof of St Mary’s Church in Itchen Stoke.
Once again, the specialised skills of our workmen and craftsmen were called upon as the slated nave roof covering of this old church had to be removed and replaced. The work also involved the restoration of the cast iron decorated ridges, some minor stonemasonry and repair work to the building.
The challenges unique to this project were as follows:
- the distinctive purple and green patterned slate work needed to be replicated which involved repeating the existing coloured patterns
- the angle of the roof was very sharp
- the cast iron ridges which needed to be removed, restored and refitted were extremely heavy
Our team of builders and workmen are all trained in all the aspects of health and safety relating to the challenges of such work and they successfully completed this complex project with skill and efficiency within 20 weeks.
Projects such as these demonstrate the versatility and skill of our team of builders, stonemasons, craftsmen and labourers as they all work together to provide outstanding results.