bathtime !! - Ledbury Herefordshire
Boot bath originally a dark sage green colour with date and inscription "For the use of the poor of Ledbury"
It was always housed in St Katherine's chapel and from there taken out and trundled from door to door when the occupant came out and climbed in. At the next house some water was let out and some fresh water added. It was habitually used like this especially at the almshouse.
Work commenced on the restoration of the chapel, but no provision was made to protect the bath. When restoration was well underway it was obvious that to take the bath out of the building was its only salvation. This was done and it was placed in the garden of the almshouse where it remained for over 2 years protected only by a plastic sheet
The late Mrs Hankins then living there, in his anxiety to save it, painted it black. Thus the lettering was obliterated and the date lost. No record was kept , but the date is believed to be 1786.
A similar one is to be found at Felbrigg Hall Norfolk, it was green and still had its trolley, and appeared only to have been used indoors. - Ledbury Herefordshire
bathtime !! - Ledbury Herefordshire
Boot bath originally a dark sage green colour with date and inscription "For the use of the poor of Ledbury"
It was always housed in St Katherine's chapel and from there taken out and trundled from door to door when the occupant came out and climbed in. At the next house some water was let out and some fresh water added. It was habitually used like this especially at the almshouse.
Work commenced on the restoration of the chapel, but no provision was made to protect the bath. When restoration was well underway it was obvious that to take the bath out of the building was its only salvation. This was done and it was placed in the garden of the almshouse where it remained for over 2 years protected only by a plastic sheet
The late Mrs Hankins then living there, in his anxiety to save it, painted it black. Thus the lettering was obliterated and the date lost. No record was kept , but the date is believed to be 1786.
A similar one is to be found at Felbrigg Hall Norfolk, it was green and still had its trolley, and appeared only to have been used indoors. - Ledbury Herefordshire