21" coal plate

Isn't this delightful? It's a coal plate; a manhole cover that the coalman would lift to deliver coal direct into the cellar. This one bears the name of Hayward Brothers of Union Street, Borough. That's not far from The Globe theatre and also where I used to visit a tie factory.

Hayward Brothers made these rascals about 150 years ago and then patented a way of putting in triangular glass which would help to light the basement. A search of Flickr will reveal lots and lots of the Hayward's work and much of it is charming. This one is in East Grinstead so a bit away from there normal manor in London.

Happy Wednesday one and all