(Yes ta Lacey but no laptop with me. So limiting typing. Just quick look in while there's a movie on here.) Mainly keeping up with one and all on bookface (so easy!) Having a great family Christmas.

I think it is to do with cleaning the flue too - it is near the old gas boiler.

Haven't opened it yet, tried earlier and gave up

We've got one near our boiler so it would seem its an access thingy. I think you'd be able to get a key from a DIY store.

Same thought here an access to cleaning the flue.

Big flat head screwdriver

you might find a protestant priest

I think it is too - it is just above and to the right of this boiler:

Oh what memories that brings back In our old house (very old actually) there was a vast chimney leading from the aga type thing in the kitchen which went through the added on bathroom upstairs.

There were two of these things on the way up, and they were hatches into said vast chimney...........useful if there were problems of blockages etc.

'Open the box'!!! ..... most of you are too young to remember that saying in a TV programme

Yes I too think it is an access hole for your chimney I wouldn't force it open in case the surrounding comes with it ..... it'll be pretty old

Hi In olden days,one house had a bakers oven and would bake the bread for the whole village,every family would bring there loaf to be baked,maybe as flour was pricey the person locked it away or maybe they only wqnted people who paid to use the oven.Its best to look up the Archives I believe Wales to have been the first to set upa data base of family history, the other thing it could be the rent collector,but if it was a pit village,the colliery would have given the cottage as part of the wage. It will be fun to investigate Gemini54