The rebuilding of
East
Aberthaw, Vale of Glamorgan, UK
by Chris Ware
Following a devastating fire in February 2004, this site was created to document the rebuilding of the Blue Anchor Inn.
After nine months of intensive rebuilding and repair work, the Blue Anchor Inn re-opened its doors to the public on Thursday December 16, 2004.
The inn has been beautifully restored and redecorated and feels as cosy and charming as it ever was.
Jeremy at the new lounge bar is very happy with the restoration.
Diary below - for the story of the fire and other links click here.
Unless otherwise stated, all pictures © C R Ware, 2004, 2005
November 14, 2004
Jeremy Coleman, the landlord, tells me that they are on track for opening in mid December. Inside, the rewiring has been almost completed and the old brass light fittings have been reinstated. A fire burns in the grate in the bar to test the draughting of the newly lined chimney. The 'Blue' is starting to come alive again...
Click on the thumbnails to see full size pictures
The scaffolding has gone and new windows have been inserted. The gable end window is yet to be fitted and the pub sign is away for refurbishment.
The snug has a new bar. This bar had been stored in the garage for some time awaiting its debut.
The upper floor already has a cosy feel to it.
Since the clean up outside, traces of the building's previous red painted render are revealed..
November 7, 2004
The 'Blue Anchor' is almost back to its full glory. The thatch is complete, but the upstairs windows have yet to be installed.
October 10, 2004
It's looking good for re-opening before Christmas.
The thatch is almost complete, apart from the ridge. (Click on the pictures to enlarge)
With the covers at last removed, dismantling of the scaffolding has begun.
Work to be completed inside includes the rewiring, currently underway, and redecoration.
September 15, 2004
There's a flurry of activity this month with the main contractors, thatchers and electricians hard at work.
August 19, 2004
The chimneys are being relined. Next week the rafters will be fitted in readiness for the thatcher who will hopefully start work in September.
August 6, 2004
The final stage of the work on the roof timbers is due to start on 23/8/04 with the rafters being fitted. Additional work to be completed before the thatcher starts in September includes relining the chimney flues and finalising repairs to the masonry.
July 26, 2004
The work on erecting the roof trusses is now well under way:
(Click on the thumbnails for full size versions)
July 6, 2004
Very little has happened in so far as the rebuilding is concerned in the last month or so.
However, the scaffolders are in again building rostra in readiness for the installation of new roof timbers.
May 29, 2004
Work has now started on rebuilding the roof
There are also new pictures of the old newspaper found under the plaster...
...and a few extra pictures of the interior.
April 22, 2004
Carpenter Oak and Woodland Co. Ltd. were appointed to replace the roof timbers.
The project leader, Peter Eyles, told me that their first task would have been to carry out a survey, before starting preparation of the hand-worked oak trusses, etc, at their workshops in Colerne, near Chippenham, Wiltshire.
Their website is at: http://www.cowco.biz/index.htm and is well worth a visit.
April 16, 2004
This news item appeared on BBC Wales:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/3631423.stm
March 27, 2004
Pictures of the fire in progress, by Trevor Dally of East Aberthaw
March 22, 2004
Preparations for the rebuilding are well under way. The insurers have given the go-ahead for the reconstruction work to be carried out and conservation architects have been advising on the best way to preserve the remaining structure.
March 9, 2004
More pictures added May 29, 2004
Interior pictures after the fire - Click here
Friday March 5, 2004
Only a ghostly silhouette of the chimney stacks is visible through the weather sheeting:
The Inn Sign, askew for now but intact after the fire
Saturday February 28
A week later, Jeremy Coleman says that the whole building is to have a weather cover, the structure for which is now visible below, but the work on the roof is not due to start for a number of weeks.
Saturday February 21, 2004
One suggestion was that the fire may have started in the middle chimney
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Unless otherwise stated, all photographs and text © C R Ware, 2004
Site last edited: 08/02/2005