Street furniture

coal hole covers

Aquila Street
Marijke Green
Boots, High Street
Marijke Green
Cafe Rouge High Street
Marijke Green
Newton Court
Marijke Green
Nail Addicts, St Ann's Terrace
Marijke Green
Duke of York St Ann's Terrace
Marijke Green
Allitsen Road
Marijke Green
Allitsen Road
Marijke Green
Allitsen Road
Marijke Green

Along the pavements of St John’s Wood one may discover attractive coal hole plates – these were lifted up by delivery men and the coal was poured straight into coal cellars so that dirty sacks did not have to be carried though the houses and minimised the distance the sacks had to be carried.

The plates are cast iron and, usually, 12-14 inches in diameter; they are circular, because this means the cover cannot accidentally fall through its own hole. They can be rolled rather than lifted and have no corners to damage. There was an internal latch to prevent them being opened from outside. Different companies had different designs and various patterns can be found.

This page was added on 09/03/2012.

Comments about this page

  •  Vintage street signby Pia Gemma

    Hello, would anyone be able to determine the approximate age of this street sign in Abercorn Place

    thank you

      

    By Pia Gemma (18/12/2016)

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