The Bull Inn on the Rotherfold in Totnes is springing back into life. Mrs Geetie Singh Watson and those who have supported her in this achievement are to be congratulated. People who read this blog will know the inn closed two years ago. It has been missed by its customers and for many more it was sad to see a historic building of such social significance in our community have no life in it.
The Bull has had many patrons over its hundreds of years of offering hospitality to local people and to those in passage. There are any number of Bull Inns scattered across the United Kingdom and they are invariably very old hostelries. The Bull Inn at Totnes is no exception. It is likely that there has been an inn on the site since cattle were first brought to market on the Rotherfold. The inn is situated near the junction of the old road to Plymouth and the road to Kingsbridge so it was an important staging post for travellers.
It has been depressing to see it empty for so long and it was pleasing one evening in early October as I walked down from the Bay Horse Inn to look across the Rotherfold and see lights on at the inn. Of course the illumination was for tradesmen working late on the interior yet it was the first sign of night life at the establishment I had seen for over two years.
In recent weeks and days the exterior has appeared to be reaching its new finished state.
This last week when peeping through the windows it could be seen that tables and chairs for future diners have been set out, beer pumps have been fitted and polished, staff have been training and now, as I write, final rehearsals are taking place.
The Bull is in the ring!
Post Script
A number of worthies in the town who might wish for anonymity have been advising the good burghers of Totnes that the Bull Inn will open on every ensuing day in October, November or on December 1st, or 2nd or 3rd or... Soon they will be proven. right!
.
The Bull has had many patrons over its hundreds of years of offering hospitality to local people and to those in passage. There are any number of Bull Inns scattered across the United Kingdom and they are invariably very old hostelries. The Bull Inn at Totnes is no exception. It is likely that there has been an inn on the site since cattle were first brought to market on the Rotherfold. The inn is situated near the junction of the old road to Plymouth and the road to Kingsbridge so it was an important staging post for travellers.
 |
| The first signs of night life |
In recent weeks and days the exterior has appeared to be reaching its new finished state.
This last week when peeping through the windows it could be seen that tables and chairs for future diners have been set out, beer pumps have been fitted and polished, staff have been training and now, as I write, final rehearsals are taking place.
The Bull is in the ring!
______________________
. Post Script
A number of worthies in the town who might wish for anonymity have been advising the good burghers of Totnes that the Bull Inn will open on every ensuing day in October, November or on December 1st, or 2nd or 3rd or... Soon they will be proven. right!
.
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