South Tyneside History
| Title | Back of Hedworth Terrace and John Street, Whitburn |
|---|---|
| Reference Number | STH0023670 |
| Photographer | Unknown |
| Town or Village | Whitburn |
| Date | |
| Original Format | Black and White Photograph |
| Period | c1920s |
| Copyright | South Tyneside Libraries |
| Further Information | The lower doors are likely to be the door to the privy midden. Prior to the 1930s many houses did not have flush toilets, only a seat over a dry hole, into which you relieved yourself, then scattered dry ash over. The Corporation cart would come around the back lanes at night to empty the middens via the low hatch door and scatter lime inside. The midden may have been used by more than one family, depending on who shared the backyard. The upper doors are likely to be where the deliveries of coal were received into the coal hole. |
