Pub hopes for festive opening (From Barry And District News)

Pub hopes for festive opening

IT IS EXACTLY seven months since a devastating fire ripped through one of the Vale's best-loved pubs - and the owners are determined they will open again before Christmas.

The Blue Anchor is 700 years old and charmed patrons with its low beams and thatched roof.

But when a spark ignited the chimney on Friday, February 20, the Coleman family, who have owned the premises since 1941, could only stand by and watch not only their livelihood but a living piece of Welsh history go up in smoke.

Nine fire engines and seven special appliances, along with more than 50 firefighters, battled against high winds and low water pressure throughout the day in an effort to minimise the extent of the damage. But the dry roof acted as tinder and the flames ravaged the building, leaving a charred skeleton in its wake.

Though distraught at the loss brothers Jeremy and Andrew Coleman, who took over the business from their father John 15 years ago, vowed at the time to restore the 14th Century building to its former glory.

Although the family originally hoped to be welcoming back regulars and visitors to East Aberthaw at the end of October, the work has been slow to start and they are now aiming for the end of November.

The thatched roofing, which fire fighters struggled to stop burning at the time of the blaze, is being replaced and should be completed within the next three weeks.

Then there is just the re-wiring and the final redecoration to take place that the pub should be ready for business.

Jeremy Coleman said: "Although we were a little behind schedule beginning the work, we are back on track. The roof should be back on very soon and we are planning to be back up and running before December."