Introduction

We take very much for granted the easy availability of fresh tap water in the home and electricity to light the house at any
time.

In rural communities, such 'luxuries' came later than they did in the towns. Paraffin lamps for lighting and buckets of water from the pond or well were still normal features in 1942....

[Joe Spencer on water supplies]

[Joe Spencer on power supplies]

The 'image' of the gentle idyllic rural scene, so favoured by artists, was never really the true case.

Compare these two pictures....