3. A question of heating!
Well you could have knocked me over with a feather, but who should sidle into my library but the two Australian nephews of mine, Gideon's children. It was a Saturday and Tom my valet had just launched the big fire in the Fire room and it was those two boys who crept into my room with their questions.
“We've just helped Tom bring in the fire wood from the back shed Uncle Heir.” This from one of them, think it was Jarvis.
'Well done you two that was thoughtful, after all the cool nights are upon us so we need to keep the castle warm.' Said I nodding my head in approval, well they both liked fires and I expect they offered Tom to light it for him.
“What we came in for to ask you why that bare room is called the Fire Room and why is it the only fire chimney in the place, I think they are bricked up in our rooms.”
'Yes they are, before my father bricked them up you could as a child climb up inside the chimney, your father tried it once and came back streaked in black dust.'
“Why did Granddad block them all up was he afraid you boys would climb too far and topple off?” This time Brigan.
'No its because he had a brilliant idea caused by, well come with me into the Fire Room and let me explain. Actually I'll get Finlay and Tom to get some chairs into that room if you two can gather up your cousins for a true story, so off you go and we all will meet in the Fire Room.'
Well half an hour later all the children were seated expectantly, it being a Saturday evening and no school. Whilst Tom gave the log fire a vicious poke I settled in my soft chair they had dragged in from the library. Then I began.
'During the war we had an air raid, they used to light bonfires when a raid was expected that was to guide the enemy bombers away from the cities. Some of them were obviously fooled and when your fathers and I were at school, sent away I might add, one bomb was dropped dead centre into the castle and blasted its way down to the basement. Your grandfather thought up a use for the large hole the bomb had left, apparently it was a special one that blew upwards and not outwards, so here was grandfather raking his brains on how to make use of the hole, so he called the estate workers, still left here and not called up, to help him rebuild a central fireplace that would heat the whole castle. That is as long as we keep all the doors open in the house. Free circulation he called it so he bricked up all the fire places and had this huge one built to replace them all.' By now the the fire was getting hot so I told the children to move against the wall.
'Now you can see how hot it can get so that's why the room is always bare so furniture does not catch alight! And you can see the flour is paved in granite slabs both to act as fire protection and to hold the heat when the fire dies down at night.'
Some of them got up and held their hands to the fire blazing away and then the questions poured out so I'll recount some of them.
“Why were you and my Uncles away. You could have got killed!” This from Robroy and his obvious concern for we children or his own birth and Dad. I saw the look on his face and choose the former.
'Sent away to a paid school in Eastbourne with our Aunt Connie. Reason they were going to take over our home for returned service people, but the bomb put an end to that!'
“Were any of the staff killed?” This from little Tom who normally concerned himself with the welfare of others.
'Two rabbits and a chicken.'
“But why were rabbits and chickens in the house Uncle Heir?”
'Cos they were dead already they were great grandpa's dinner for the night.'
“So they were not killed by that bomb!”
'No Tom but they were well and truly roasted, and they were eaten the next morning.'
“Was there a huge fire to control?” This from Jarvis with his eyes bright at the thought.
'Not much if you could see the beams below they had a lick of fame but the household doused it all as we had fire buckets in the house already.'
“Already for what?” This from Jess.
'There was a fighter squadron over on High Hill and it was presumed it could be a target thus my father prepared for bad things to happen.'
“Why is there that big black box behind the fire grate.” This was Fig, I caught him eyeing the fire place steadfastly foot by foot almost like an engineer.
'Go on Tom, can you answer Fig?' I could see there was more to come as he put his hand to his face.
“Is it a steam engine Uncle Heir?”
'Well done Tom, very close and indeed it does contain water. Its a hot water container for supplying hot water to the kitchen and your baths. It works by gravity and pump action. Well I have learnt how dirty and muddy you children get during winter so your grandfather had it installed especially, he must have known you would all be coming to live in his castle.' Young Fig looked as pleased as punch for having asked the brightest question. The others gave him a special clap which pleased him immensely, and it did my heart the world of good to see how well he had fitted in.
'Well now remember in winter to leave the doors open to let the warm air circulate.'
“One more question Grand-papa. Hot air rises so its all right for us up here and the bedrooms but what about poor Cook and Maise down in the depths!” Robroy.
'Well they are well provided for Figs hot water tank goes down through several pipes you can see under the joists below and floor though to the kitchen and scullery so in winter we are warm, and this fire is mostly due to Jarvis and Brigan for fetching the logs in. But one room downstairs remains cool.'
“The dairy room, Oh and Tom helps with the kindling.” Said the two Australian boys.
'Well he gets paid so its part of his job, but I did suspect you two might have begged him to let you start it!'
“He would not let us, said it was dangerous and we needed to put the fire screen back in its place, so we helped him with that.” There was a big steel screen with mesh to stop any sparks flying and it was one addition I had made to my fathers design.
'Now if you have all warmed up I ask you not to come in here and play. This room is the Fire Room only and when you have your baths I am sure you will appreciate where the hot water comes from. Now its time for dinner so off you go and have a wash in that lovely warm water. That black tank that Fig asked about is something like three metres tall and five wide so it holds a lot of water and I do believe its has a special fire proof cladding to keep it warm for several days.'
“But Uncle Heir in summer we don't need a fire so we still need to wash where does the hot water come from?” Brigan standing up eager for an answer. My valet Tom answered.
“We have electric water heater attached to the outlet pipes which give enough heat for Cook and our rooms. Definitely not as efficient as the Old Dukes method, but necessary to keep his ancestors clean!”
'Away now children, if you can first help Tom and Finlay with the chairs please, and when the fire is on please do not play here. You will note this door is made of metal, there is no wood in the room or near the room. The walls are plain plaster and up above close to the ceiling are alcove holes and pipes that distribute the heat around the various parts. We leave the metal door open so this floor together with the hallway can be heated as well to keep Finlay warm when he opens the main door to you lot or visitors!' Then I thought of my father and his thoughtfulness to keep us all warm. He must have had an architect to help but I could find no mention in his papers he had left after his death. It would forever stay a mystery how he developed the idea from that one bomb explosion.