The sound of heavy thumping reached Tony’s ears as he was praying in the cellar. Outside and upstairs a  man was digging a trench, working to fit a new meter to the water pipe.. The work had been sub contracted and this man was self employed being paid we found out later around £70 for fitting one water meter.  He had to dig the hole fit the meter and re connect the mains supply to the house

The town was in a shocking state as the roads had gradually been dug up leaving a trail of mud and badly repaired pavements.   The residents were up in arm about this company who seemed to be in total disregard of the high cost of water after the metering had begun. There had been a history of bungling with one well publicized couple who lived in a bungalow being charged over £700 for the connecting pipe. This had sent shock waves among the residents and rumours and resentment had grown alarmingly.   Now the workmen had turned up in Gordon Road to complete their contracts.

While Tony was downstairs the man working outside was having difficulties. As soon as he cut into the old water pipe to make the connection he found that on reconnecting the supply the older pipe was leaking like a garden sprinkler.  The problem was that the pipes were over 130 years old having been fitted in 1855 when the row of terrace houses had been erected.  The workman tried again.  Tony kept praying.  Finally after many attempts to connect the water the man was frustrated and perplexed. He did not know what to do. He was obl;iged under law to connect us to the water supply before leaving the job.  What was needed was a new piece of pipe all along the alley by the side of the house..  This was bad news to Tony as he would have to pay and it would be very expensive.   Tony prayed.. The workman suggested that he contact his boss and see what he said.  We need a mole he explained    A mole is a special too that will bore a hole under ground for several yards with out surfacing.

The workmen packed up his tools for the night connected us with a plastic hose for the night,  and went on his way.  That night Tony and Sheila prayed   Lord help us…  The next morning the workman returned and told a relieved Tony and Sheila that the boss had agreed to connect the pipe for free. Apparently they had a legal obligation to make sure each customer was connected before leaving the site for the day.  The Lord had been at work not only did they not have to pay for the work but they would have a new pipe fitted to the stop cock without charge.