The Rising Sun reopened on Wednesday 13 November 2002 as scheduled in the programme of works. The effect was exactly what was required - old world charm with modern facilities.

The following is an extract from the Taunton Times of 15 August 2002:

"A fifteenth century village pub that was razed to the ground is to have its new roof thatched this week (15 August 2002) as the reconstruction work nears the halfway point. Adsborough Builders from Taunton is on schedule in the fifth week of a 16-week rebuild of the Rising Sun in West Bagborough.

The pub burnt down after an electrical fault set the roof alight while customers were still inside. Over 70 fire-fighters attended the incident, which occurred on January 9 just after 8pm.

At the Rising Sun site just over a fortnight ago, huge oak tresses weighing half a ton each were lowered into place by crane. The wood was used to create an A-frame shape, paving the way for the creation of the traditional roof.

The firm's office Managing Director, Malcolm Prosser, said: "The biggest job was removing all the damage. But we are now putting more back in than we were taking out, and we're starting to rebuild on a massive scale."

Until autumn, workers on the site will fit and decorate the inside of the property on a rolling programme of development.

The Landlady said they had been very impressed with the progress, adding: "It's absolutely superb, it really is stunning. The builders are wonderful, their work is of an exceptionally high standard, and the pub is going to be spectacular when it's done."

"What we do is pretty technical, and this sort of job does get the 'wow' factor," Mr Prosser added."