Yes - night soil man was an occupation practiced until very recent times at Quickedge, Mossley Lancashire. Quickedge was a bit remote from the town of Mossley, mainly rented terraced houses on 'controlled rents' (tiny amounts). As a consequence the landlords wouldn't/couldn't pay for sewerage pipes. Toilets (lavvie's) were often shared, 1 to a group of houses, situated in a close or courtyard. They consisted of a shed with a wooden box like structure, hole in top to sit over. There were examples at Hollingworth, Cheshire of communal ones and I have a distinct memory from probably 1947 of a 6 seater! Outside round the back was a hatch behind which was stored the open top soil bin. A wagon (at one time horse drawn) would visit each week, remove the used bin and exchange it for a 'clean' one. There are stories about a horse drawn s**t cart running out of control down Stamford Road, Mossley, straight through the shop on the bend at the bottom!
