bren
master brummie
Remember we had to roll the news paper a certain way to form the basis of the fire, Miriam
How funny, i was thinking about this last night, how we was taught as young kids just how to twist and roll the paper just right so it didn't just burn away before getting the coal going if we had no wood.
Bren, That description takes me back, it is exactly how I remember our house in Kingstanding. you probably also had a built in cupboard in the recess to the side of the fireplace with a glass cabinet at the top a large draw and a cupboard underneath.
Yes we did but can't remember it being there nowhere near as long as the fireplace.
I still have our old cast multi tool hammer/chopper/ claw, black like the fire was and could be used for breaking the large lumps of coal, chopping wood and the claw on the end of the handle for removing nails or as a crow bar. Another permanent feature on the fire hob was two cast irons for getting fantastic sharp creases down your trousers using a damp cloth, these stood on a round cast stand until required, i can hear the sizzle of that cloth now LOL.
bren