Before and after a walk, most people want just two things: a visit to the loo and a nice cup of tea.
Thus spake Richard Felton during the official opening of the revamped Ashover Public toilets, promoting "A walk of two conveniences" between Ashover and Clay Cross.
Twelve months prior, the old stone block of toilets was in a dilapidated state, replete with redundant phone kiosk, ancient fittings and peeling paint. The threat of closure of the toilets prompted Ashover Parish Council to lease the block from the District Council, making these toilets only one of a handful in the country to be maintained by the Parish Council.
With funding from Valencia Communities Fund and a Contributing Third party Payment from Ashover Primary Care Trust, the Parish Council installed new windows, flooring, cubicles, sanitary-ware and insulation, as well as providing better baby-changing facilities.
The transformation of the redundant phone kiosk is what makes these toilets unique, now containing an information point advising visitors of parish news, maps and details of local walks.
