BOURNEMOUTH councillors once enjoyed a presentation on incontinence but I observed, as chair, that if it went on any longer there would be a practical demonstration from the audience.

The 1935 Health Act encouraged councils to provide public conveniences but this was never enforced by law.

Having personally fought to have a modern dual public toilet block reopened after police advice closed it upon proven and shocking anti-social behaviour, a large store nearby refused to sponsor its reopening or to offer in-store facilities for its customers.

They did however buy the council car park there and happily still post out camera evidenced fixed penalty notices.

I endeavoured as president of the Bournemouth Chamber and as a councillor to seek an events provider and the Funeral Directors’ Trade Association to provide and pay staff and sponsor supplies and maintenance to enable the 1930s Central Cemetery Public Conveniences to be reopened.

Paying one’s respects to departed loved ones with an accessible, safe and clean public convenience should be regarded as a basic human right.

So, why so much human excrement on the streets of central Bournemouth ?

The Community (Businesses ) Toilet Scheme was not embraced in BH1 but under that premise Poole Council demolished a number of their public conveniences.

In the movie Carry On Screaming , Dan Dann The Lavatory Man took pride in serving his underground urban conveniences.

The subterranean gents and ladies have been long filled-in at the Lansdowne as has the vital one at Winton Banks in Alma Road.

So, when one wants to spend a penny, would a safe, clean, attended public convenience be an improving aspect to modern life?

One on Poole Hill , of course , became a wine bar.

The 1935 Public Health Act did not predict that.

Nigel Hedges

Granville Place