From the bottom of the garden to a dedicated room…
18 Nov 2020
Dear LPG readers,
Be honest, so many of us take them for granted even though many of ours often come as part of a matching suite these days. Most homes have two and in 21st century England, life has changed so much since the days when the nearest one was often to be found at the bottom of the garden. I am talking about the loo.
I am getting on in age now but I remember when getting ‘caught short’ in the middle of a cold winter’s night meant an outdoor trip and a serious temperature drop for the body. I am so glad that, now I am older and my nights are interrupted more often, things have changed and the toilet has been afforded its own dedicated room in our homes and many public buildings.
People often talk about the public facilities that were and are no more on our streets. We are all aware of the lack of pubs, libraries, community centres and so many more, but those that I want to talk about today seem to have all but disappeared. We older people will remember the public toilets that were dotted around our borough of Lewisham.
I feel it only fitting that we talk about the demise of the public convenience today simply because it is World Toilet Day.
When I was young I remember when these buildings were dotted all over London although I have to admit to taking them for granted even then. I particularly remember the underground structure at the New Cross end of Old Kent Road which has all but disappeared, the Crofton Park building which was turned into an estate agent, and the public convenience that I remember being at the end of Devonshire Road in Forest Hill is now unrecognisable. In those days they were kept clean by an army of attendants and I have a relative that could be counted among their ranks. I remember her getting an award for her work and all this was triggered by a little bit of information I found on the internet.
So even though I know that there are still many places in the world where there is no ‘flush’ I suggest that we at least spare a thought for the inventers who made going to the loo such a convenience for so many on this World Toilet Day.
WD, Longfield
With this subject in mind LPG would like to remind readers of some related information for those whose bladders do not give as much notice as they once did…
