My birth

[Treetotal]

Oh, I see, we had a flushing toilet with a water cistern which had a clunky metal chain.
I've learned something today 
Carol

[Viktoria]

There was still a tippler toilet in the next door house’s yard ,in the house we first lived in here in Ramsbottom.The owners explained it was connected with the waste water from the bath.

The “ receptacle “ was sort of balanced , when bathwater ran down a pipe it emotird into the tippler,which was in a little shed in the yard ,which then literally tipped over and the contents were down in the main sewer.
So it was all washed out with hot soapy bath water.
What a wonderful way to conserve water and not waste drinking water .
Our neighbours did not use it ,so a heavy board with a stone on it was placed over the hole as a precaution ,in case rats got into the sewer system .
Houses,
You can still see on the external yard walls of old houses where the hole in the wall has been blocked up , very old ones had an iron door set into the yard wall ,so the toilets could be emptied from the narrow rear street.
Dolly Varden ,a character from Dickens , not sure why those old loos were named after after her
Viktoria.
“ Dolly Vardens “ I believe they were nicknamed could be emptied by the ‘ night soil men “ or “ the midden men”in Victorian days when they were first installed.
They were not tipplers.

Ramsbottom Heritage Society have a full description on line with diagrams of tippler toilets .
The ones depicted were flushed from the kitchen sink ,but the neighbours who still  had one ( no longer used!) said the bath water had flushed theirs but that night have been a later adaption .
Viktoria.

[mare]

With topic turning to potty talk, thankfully not potty mouth    I'll be taking the Grindley ware chamber pot to our next house, ornamental use only for donkeys years  unfortunately can't take the Royal Doulton toilet pan and we'll probably have some much more modern conveniences.

[Erato]

"potty talk"

For some reason, it is a favorite, perennial topic of English RootsChatters. 

[Viktoria]

Give over!
Months have gone by with no mention ,and anyway it has all been in the best possible taste.
I am sure even you Erato ,have to avail yourself of “ conveniences “ from time to time , if not  you ought to see a Doctor .
Jolly up a bit !
Viktoria.

[Treetotal]

I think you are missing Erato's point Victoria, it was a subtle reference to inane chatter. Enough said.
Carol

[BillyF]

"potty talk"

For some reason, it is a favorite, perennial topic of English RootsChatters. 

This is what chat "does" anywhere in the world. One thing leads to another and the topic gets changed from one thing to another.

I`ve loved reading all the different stories. Thanks folks.

[Pennines]

Me too BillyF -- it's brought back memories - such as gloves or mittens being tied on a long piece of string - the string going up one arm, across your back and down the other arm -- with the gloves/mittens dangling from the bottom of your sleeves, so that you didn't lose them. (That's the gloves - not the sleeves!)

In addition - we used to put a 'blower' up when the fire was first lit, seemingly to make it light properly AND newspaper would block any gaps around the side. How dangerous was that!!

[Viktoria]

We were too poor to have a blower!  ::)A metal sheet of galvanised tin ,with a handle . Doing the job a pair of bellows would do.
We were too poor to have this as well, notwithstanding both Grandfathers were blacksmiths .
The coal shovel balanced in front of the grate ,a big sheet of newspaper in front and the chimney would “draw” ie suck air up the reduced space ,that would make the coals  burn brighter , and hey presto a glowing fire.
BUT—— very dangerous if you forgot , the hearth rug would be burnt etc!

That was our very dangerous substitute !
We did see life but it was a miracle we saw as much as we did for as long as we did , what with the blower, drying our waist length hair over the gas stove ,( We read that in “The Water Gypsies” ,H,E,Bates I think, about bargees.)etc!

Viktoria.


P.S. I did all that without mention of jerries, guzzunders, thunder boxes, potties.Conveniences, smallest rooms, loos, chambers, toilets etc.
I shall console myself with just checking that my low level, coupled ,soft close ——- ——- is still in situ!

Viktoria.