THE Bull Inn, situated next to the Standard's offices in Dyer Street, Cirencester, relocated to a site further down Dyer Street sometime after 1800. Trade was good but the need to have a second income was also present. An advertisement appeared in the Standard in July 1866 which read "To pleasure parties etc, a large and convenient tent capable of dining 150 persons may be obtained for picnic and other parties at a reasonable charge. Apply to Mr Blackford, The Bull Inn." In June 1870 another advertisement was for a general servant 'one who understands cooking' .

In 1910 William Wood was tenant of the Cirencester Brewery-run inn while Waldron Griffiths leased a building to the rear for his aerated water manufactory. A 1915 valuation lists bar, kitchen, smoke room on the first floor with its own separate approach from the courtyard. Stables, coach house, trap houses and skittle alley extended to the rear. In the 1880s the Bull was a pick up point for William Smith carrier for parcels and passengers to Ablington and Barnsley each Wednesday and Friday.

Donald Cole was a long serving landlord from at least 1912 to 1940 advertising himself as a charabanc and car proprietor. A successful breeder of pigeons his Kenley Lass was awarded the Dickin Medal in March 1945. The equivalent of the VC, the citation reads "For being the first pigeon to be used with success for secret communications from an agent in enemy occupied France while service with the National Pigeon Service in October 1940. Last drinks were served in June 1963 but the bracket for the pub still survives.

These images of The Bull Inn in Dyer Street , Cirencester, were given to the Standard by a resident of Dyer Street, Mark Dent and the words are by Philip Griffiths from his book Cirencester Pubs which is available locally priced £14.99 and published by Amberley Publishing. www.amberley-books.com