Under wraps - Tuesday March 9, 2004
Today I was fortunate to be able to take my first look under the weather sheeting and inside the pub. The extent of the damage can be seen from the following pictures.
(Click on the images to enlarge. Dial-up users note that some files are as much as 500KB)
A working platform has been built around the exterior at roof level. From here it is possible to inspect the damaged timbers at close quarters.
The western end. The timbers will have to be replaced with hand worked oak throughout, for which tenders will be sought. It will be several weeks before work is likely to start.
The stairwell from the lounge, unsafe to use for the time being, as is the floor over the snug.
Jeremy Coleman, the landlord, discovered at least seven layers of wallpaper in the office. Between two of the layers (but not the bottom ones) a copy of the Cardiff Times newspaper was found dated 19th August 1871. The wallpaper survived the fire because it had been plastered over!
Remarkably, the (plastic) paper towel dispenser in the kitchen survived the heat of the fire.
The ground floor:
With the seating stripped out another fire place is revealed in the snug. Jeremy says that he might keep this feature when the snug is refitted.
The bar. Thankfully, the ground floor is largely intact, though damaged by water. The staining on the joists is caused by lime from the plasterwork upstairs.
The lounge bar, unusually bright with daylight from above.
There will be many stages to the restoration to be completed before re-thatching can start. Being a listed building, specialist architects have to be consulted.
New pictures, added May 29, 2004:
The north snug (composite photo)
Unless otherwise stated, all pictures and text © C R Ware, 2004