CARRY ON AT YOUR CONVENIENCE - BRIGG STYLE

The above picture was taken in the 1960s when many Brigg council houses - built between the wars - still had outside conveniences.
This property's only toilet was  across the backyard and located behind the door on the left.
It was no fun venturing out on a cold and dark winter's night to answer a call of nature!
But things were to get worse before  there was light at the end of the tunnel and improvements arrived.
Extensive power cuts resulting from coal-miners' strikes during the early 1970s brought particular problems for Brigg households with only outside privies.
Ours, on Central Square, was soon dubbed The Candle Khasi.
This was inspired by Kenneth Williams' princely character in comedy film Carry On Up the Khyber (1968) and also by the 1971 offering Carry On At Your Convenience, which was set in a toilet-making factory.
In early 1974, just before it was expunged by local government re-organisation, Brigg Urban District Council refurbished many of its early council houses, installing new windows (NOT double-glazed), central heating to replace coal fires, and an upstairs bathroom with toilet (by removing part of the largest bedroom).
The WC facilities across the yard remained in situ as a back-up.
The central heating installed in 1974 was basic and no time control was fitted (that would have involved added expense).
Having been accustomed to making coal fires, no-one minded waking up to a cold house and having to flick the 'on' switch to warm the radiators.
What would today's so-called Snowflake Generation make of life without central heating and double-glazing, and having to 'pay a visit' in an igloo across the yard?
Before the 1974 improvements, some Brigg council houses - including ours - had a small but rudimentary bathroom on the ground floor, with a bath and sink but no toilet.
The bathroom was unheated until a one-bar electric fire appeared over the door.
However, this was installed at our expense after applying for council permission to do so.