Sarah
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Somerset County Herald and Taunton Courier. Saturday 15 Aug 1959
Page 3 Column 4 and 5
TUDOR TAVERN NOW HAS A STEAK BAR
And, It Is Claimed, An Elusive Ghost
A FURTHER step in the restoration of the Tudor Tavern in Fore Street, Taunton, was taken on Tuesday, when a steak bar, the first in the town, was officially opened. The premises were recently acquired by Berni Brothers, the well-known West Country restaurant proprietors.
A wine bar was also opened in the room on the first floor in which Judge JEFFREYS slept during the 'Bloody Assize' at Taunton after the Battle of Sedgemoor. This room is said to be haunted by the ghost of one of his victims.
Woman's Footsteps
The previous owner, Mr. R. F. BOGGETT, reported hearing noises in the Tavern late at night and a woman's footsteps along the gallery leading to Judge JEFFREYS' room. The footsteps were heard on the second Tuesday of each month, but no ghost was seen, recently, even the footsteps have not been heard by the managers, Mr. and Mrs. B. HACKER.
It is claimed that evidence that the ghost might still walk was revealed after the building was recently photographed from across the street. The Tavern was empty at the time; yet when the photograph was developed the prints showed a ghostly figure at the window of Judge JEFFREYS' room.
The wine and steak bars have been designed by Mr. Alex WAUGH, the well-known interior designer. The Tudor atmosphere of the building, which was the town house of the Portman family for nearly 400 years, has been preserved.
The steak bar seats 34 people and offers excellent value. A feature of the wine bar will be the sale of sherries straight from the wood.
This is the second stage in restoring the Tavern. The first was a chicken bar, and the third stage will be the restoration of the 12th century bar.
Those who attended Tuesday's opening included Mr. Arnold WHITTAKER (chairman of Somerset County Council), Mr. S. PAYNE (chairman of the Licensing Bench), Dr. L. FAY (Medical Officer of Health), Mr. E. TYZACK (Borough Surveyor), Captain L. GRAHAM (secretary of the Chamber of Commerce), Messrs. F. GEE, B. MAGGS and P. ROSSE (directors of the firm), and representatives of the Press.