Louise Bremner wrote:
> Paul Blay <ranma@saotome.demon.co.uk> wrote:

> Actual coal? Or in the form of coke? British coal tends to be high in
> sulphur, so I'm under the impression that the Clean Air Act made
> domestic coal-burning illegal.

Up until the early 90's on Dublin's northside a lot of the houses burnt 
coal (not coke) in open fireplaces. For some reason it was coal and not 
peat. I assume the coal was imported, but don't know where from. Brazil 
or the UK perhaps. In my grandmother's house it was the only source of 
heat. As a kid I could enjoy the cheap thrills of getting in touch with 
my inner firebug while claiming to be doing essential household chores 
(heating water for the bath etc). First impression in 1984 of the skies 
at night over Artane were a sickly yellow. When they finally banned it 
from Dublin's metro area (switched to gas) the resulting drop in 
mortality rates was so immediate that they are still talking about it in 
the pubs.

>>Domestic coal use is fairly rare in most areas - but Northern England,
>>Scotland and any (former) mining district is likely to be a different
>>case.
> 
> I had a flash of nostalgia when visiting a friend in Belfast--saw a
> flat-bed coal lorry, like the ones that used to deliver my grandad's
> coal into the coal-hole under the pavement. But it was delivering coke.

A coal hole under the pavement? Luxury. In Artane it was carried into 
the backshed, then carried back into the house to load into the 
fireplace with tongs.

-- 
St. Patrick's Day Parade, Nagoya. Saturday 5th March 2005
http://www.declan.tv/saint_pats/index.html