This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/essex/7595492.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Size is no issue for new tenant | Size is no issue for new tenant |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The tenant of Britain's oldest and smallest council house - which doubles as a museum - is set to move in. | The tenant of Britain's oldest and smallest council house - which doubles as a museum - is set to move in. |
| Dutch Cottage, in Rayleigh, Essex, is believed to have been built by Dutch settlers in the 1740s. | Dutch Cottage, in Rayleigh, Essex, is believed to have been built by Dutch settlers in the 1740s. |
| Fay Laslin, 33, was chosen to move into the cottage, which measures 20ft in diameter, by Rochford District Council. | Fay Laslin, 33, was chosen to move into the cottage, which measures 20ft in diameter, by Rochford District Council. |
| Ms Laslin, who is 5ft, will have to open her doors to the public every Wednesday afternoon as part of the tenancy agreement. | Ms Laslin, who is 5ft, will have to open her doors to the public every Wednesday afternoon as part of the tenancy agreement. |
| Ms Laslin said: "It's reported to be smallest and oldest council house in Britain and it's just such a beautiful place to live - it's really quirky. If you're 6ft and over you'd be hard pushed because I am only 5ft and I can touch the ceiling Fay Laslin | Ms Laslin said: "It's reported to be smallest and oldest council house in Britain and it's just such a beautiful place to live - it's really quirky. If you're 6ft and over you'd be hard pushed because I am only 5ft and I can touch the ceiling Fay Laslin |
| "It is thought to have been built by Dutch settlers who came to the East of England to work on the sea defences." | "It is thought to have been built by Dutch settlers who came to the East of England to work on the sea defences." |
| A brick fireplace is the centrepiece of the thatched cottage, with an open plan kitchen, living room and bathroom built around it, with one bedroom upstairs. | A brick fireplace is the centrepiece of the thatched cottage, with an open plan kitchen, living room and bathroom built around it, with one bedroom upstairs. |
| The Grade II listed building is so small that furniture had to be specially made for it. The previous tenants had to have their bed lifted through a window as the staircase is just 18in (46cm) wide. | The Grade II listed building is so small that furniture had to be specially made for it. The previous tenants had to have their bed lifted through a window as the staircase is just 18in (46cm) wide. |
| "If you're 6ft and over you'd be hard pushed because I am only 5ft and I can touch the ceiling," Ms Laslin said. | "If you're 6ft and over you'd be hard pushed because I am only 5ft and I can touch the ceiling," Ms Laslin said. |
| When asked about being responsible for a living museum, Ms Laslin said: "It's nice to be part of the local community and to be able to show people local history." | When asked about being responsible for a living museum, Ms Laslin said: "It's nice to be part of the local community and to be able to show people local history." |
| Ms Laslin was chosen to move into Dutch Cottage by the council who advertised the tenancy in the local papers.Advertisement | Ms Laslin was chosen to move into Dutch Cottage by the council who advertised the tenancy in the local papers.Advertisement |
| A very brief tour of the UK's smallest council house | A very brief tour of the UK's smallest council house |
| "People had to apply in writing to the council stating why they wished to live here," she said. | "People had to apply in writing to the council stating why they wished to live here," she said. |
| "I was called for an interview and I was the lucky candidate. | "I was called for an interview and I was the lucky candidate. |
| Tamara Burton, from Rochford District Council, said: "Dutch Cottage is living history because someone lives there. | Tamara Burton, from Rochford District Council, said: "Dutch Cottage is living history because someone lives there. |
| "It is thought to be 300 years old - although there are no official records - and it's unique as far as council houses go. | "It is thought to be 300 years old - although there are no official records - and it's unique as far as council houses go. |
| "The previous tenant was a young lady who has moved out of the district and before that a couple lived in the cottage for 20 years. | "The previous tenant was a young lady who has moved out of the district and before that a couple lived in the cottage for 20 years. |
| "There is no written record of the origins of the building so it is still open to speculation." | "There is no written record of the origins of the building so it is still open to speculation." |
| Ms Burton said Ms Laslin was an ideal tenant as she had a good local knowledge, an interest in history and was confident and flexible enough to show visitors around. | |
| "Her size played no role in the decision - one of the recent occupants was about 6ft," she added. | "Her size played no role in the decision - one of the recent occupants was about 6ft," she added. |