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Not that he can't post it all for himself, and does, but these 2 reports we had from Steve Bushell are really interesting: things that were discovered about the history of the building as the renovation work was done, and some general points about the renovation process: and now there are the pictures too!

Here's an extra note from Steve B regarding the pictures and another update:

In the photos below, there are some 'before and after' ones, which may jog the memories of some members who do not come to the pub that often, and a few of the uncovered (and now re-covered) historical sign painting to the front.  This shows the reasoning behind covering it up again, as it really wasn't in good enough condition to completely expose. There is also one of the patch of original red on the stonework which matches the Farrow and Ball exactly.

I have included a picture of the rear of the original (free-standing) core of the pub, and the 17th century casement windows are clearly visible. During the 19th and early 20th century, the whole thing was covered in coal-smoke black, as was most of Bath when I first arrived (I spent several years in the 1970s water-cleaning them).

The white lines around the individual blocks are the beginning of bad deterioration as the coal residue becomes acidic, and this will become more severe with age, until the stonework is cleaned back to its original colour and shelter-coated as the front was. The other thing about lime shelter-coating which I forgot to mention in previous communications is that lime is highly alkaline, so neutralises any acidic residue left after cleaning, as well as being cosmetically effective.

oops: the uploader won't deal with that many attachments. Last pic added in a 'reply' below...

and the one more missing pic

As I mentioned to Steve H in a letter, I have stacks of these photos (probably too many...) which I will put on disc for The Bell's archives. I also have a list of every single landlord of the place from 1740 something to the present day, commissioned by Donovan Pilliner many years ago. I'll put together a whole package and also see what else I can dig up to add to it.