(7th September 2012) from Mike Hogan (From South of France). "Tippler Toilet"
Hi Bryan.
Recently I watched a program on the BBC about ‘The unspoken history of the toilet’ ; there seems to be a lot of interest in this subject lately as Bill Gates has invited inventors to develop a form of toilet which does not need water and therefore can be used in third world countries.
The program showed the development of the toilet systems through the ages which culminated in the late 19th century invention of the porcelain ‘cuve’ with the integrated S bend which is still in use in most homes at the present time.
I was surprised that there was no mention of the ‘tippler’ system which was very common in terrace houses when I was growing up in Haslingden.
I have talked about this system to other Brits who live over here but nobody has heard of it and I also think that when I was at school in Accrington I never saw one there either.
Was this a uniquely Haslingden invention? It would be interesting to know exactly how it functioned, I think that it was flushed by the rainwater which came from the gutters of the houses. I remember that it was a great mystery as to what was at the bottom of the very dark and very deep earthenware tube and being curious we used to light pages of newspapers and drop them down but were never really able to see what was there.
Regards
Mike
(12th September 2012) from Susan. "Tippler Toilet"
Hi ,Not unique to Haslingden as I lived in Oswaldtwistle, we did not have one but my Aunt did. It turned over when water from the house,(Kitchen as no bathrom then) filled it and when full it tippled over. Hence the smell was not very nice. No toilet paper we used newspaper.
Susan.
(20th September 2012) from Mike Hogan (South of France)
Heading: "Haslingden known in French Encyclopaedia"
I enclose a scan from an old French encyclopaedia (about 1860) which states that Haslingden was a town with a population of 8000 and was situated on a canal which linked Liverpool to Bury and Manchester (see Haslingden Canal Blog). In fact, this canal was never constructed but the plan was mentioned in the article which i sent to you the other day (click this link for .pdf file on the Haslingden Historic Town Assessment Report).
It also states that the town was known for the manufacture of woollen and cotton goods and had 'beautiful'(extremely good) quarries which produced quality 'cut stones' and slates.
It is interesting to note that neither Accrington or Rawtenstall were mentioned in the book. At this era Haslingden was more important than these towns but later went into decline as most other Lancashire towns were experiening a boom in the cotton industry.
regards
Mike
