Life's a gas after 40 years without power
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A couple who lived for 40 years with no gas, electricity or running water are celebrating their first week together in a newly renovated home with all mod cons.
A couple who lived for 40 years with no gas, electricity or running water are celebrating their first week together in a newly renovated home with all mod cons.
While their neighbours are adjusting to life in the 21st century, Albert and Grace Juttus have just dragged themselves into the 20th after their local council awarded them a £40,000 home-improvement grant.
The couple previously cooked on a wooden stove, which doubled up as their home's main source of heat. Three oil lamps lit the tiny two-bedroom bungalow near Shenton in Leicestershire. They drank and washed in water collected in a bucket from a natural spring in their garden and used another bucket as a makeshift lavatory.
But this week they are becoming used to modern life after the oil lamps were replaced by electric lights, and the buckets replaced by a bathroom complete with power shower and flushing toilet.
Mr Juttus, 74, said: "It is taking some getting used to but life is so much easier. Having running water and electricity has made such a difference. We always said that as long as we had each other nothing else mattered, but the improvements that have been made have made a world of difference.
"We were never comfortable with the idea of handouts but Grace is 72 and suffers from severe arthritis and it was making it very difficult living as we were."
The couple's lifestyle was uncovered 15 months ago when Albert applied to Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council for a grant to help to dig a well.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments