The Closet

'Many and many a cottage di' n't have no W.C. at all ( we called it 'the closet'). They just 'went broadcast' in the fields. Them as did have closets weren' t a lot better off. They had a vault dug somewhere near the house, with a wooden structure over the top. In the seat there' d be a big hole cut, too big for any child to sit over without being frightened to death, and there were even some real danger. So the child' en di' n't use the closet til they were nearly growed up. They'd just go anywhere, but mostly along by the side o' the house.'

Read more on Page 223 in Fenland Chronicle

The Privvy at Ramsey Rural Museum

AT THE MUSEUM

There is a 'closet' or privy as it was sometimes known in the garden at the museum. It is located some distance from the cottage to keep the smell and possible pollution away from living quarters. Doors would have ventilation holes (above eye level) to keep the air as fresh as possible.

If you look at the one at the museum you will see it has two holes (not for two people!) but one was covered for the contents to break down, while the other hole was being used.

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