Tam's Tall Tales
- Back to the Steamie?
Notice From a Glasgow Wash House
Back to the Steamie?
In "Good Old Days" before washing machines became a standard utility in most homes, "Wash Houses" or "Steamies" were run by local governments to provide clothes washing facilities in cities and towns.
Of course, in those days wives stayed at home and didn't go out to full time employment as they often do now. So they had the time to go to the "steamie" - and have a gossip with their friends and neighbours.
Now, proposals set out by the Scottish Government could also see people forced to give up using their own spin-dryers and dishwashers.
The Scottish Government proposal entitled ‘Making Things Last’, suggests that people should “move away from product ownership” and “rather than actually owning appliances”, they should use washing machine and dishwasher providers to pay “per wash”.
Green centralised launderettes using super-efficient washers would help the environment, especially as the average household does almost 400 loads of laundry each year, consuming about 13,500 gallons of water.
The plans have been branded a “suddy outrage” by people fed up with a claimed Scottish Government “nanny state”.
It seems unlikely that the Scottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, will be queuing up any time soon to set a good example.
Please give me whatever feedback comes to mind via tamfromrampant@gmail.com.
Tam O'Ranter
May 2014Return to Tam O'Ranter Index
