I am sorry to say that, up until now, I thought that "ash pit", however
it started out, was a name for a pit into which you shoved all and any
rubbish. It was not specifically for ash anymore than a dust bin was
restricted to receiving dust.
But ash was certainly used as a potash fertiliser for gardens. And
breeze block were originally made out of rubbish (I think the word
"breeze" means rubbish). There have been many attempts to make building
blocks out of various materials and I think ash was always a favourite
ingredient. I think it was in the early 19th century that our towns
were kept unusually clean because of the commercial demand for rubbish,
especially ash. And there is a story that St. Petersburg was built from
London rubbish - it being exported their in the form of breeze blocks.
I am not sure if any of that is relevant or helpful but I am getting old
and entitled to ramble.
--
Frank Sharman
Wolverhampton, UK.
tel: +44 01902 763246
look: no quotes, no graphics!
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