We could only keep Colubrids ( and bvenomous through a loophole in the law ).
Even a ball python was forbidden.
Now we can keep Constrictors and other species, with the exclsuion of the ( I believe 9 or 10 big ones, such as the 5 big Pythons, Anaconda, RTB - was imposed on us due to public fear of RTB(?), and the big aussies, such as scrubs and Olivaceus ).
Venomous had a grandftahre clause negotiated but are now styrictly forbidden.
well thats some progression at least! hopefully things can only improve

As to Bloods my favorite still is the Breitensteini.
I bought a lot of them from the young guy at Bloodpythons UK. He then went to Autsralia to study as a vet ( forget his name )
and that would likely be Tom Bellamy your referring to.....he produced some lovely bloods! I am not sure but think he may well be back, and into them again.