Homestead Sept/Oct 2002: My then 18yr old daughter (now working as a doctor in Oz) and I lived in this large Khyam tent, seen to rear, from 12th August - 25th October. From September we had this pitch with electric hook-up. The kind site manager had created a hook-up cable with a board and sockets for us. He also lent us an oil-filled radiator when it got colder. By October 25th it was water-logged and there were gales the night we dismantled!!
We had found it difficult to find somewhere to live with our 2 adorable half-siamese cats. Brinnie visible in front of plants I had been given. My daughter was working to fund 'gap-year' travels so the local council had decided we no longer constituted a 'family' in need of housing together :( A council officer had visited me the day after my appearance on the Carlton 6pm news! [I had been interviewed by Sean Conway, footage of the tent with our other cat Tiggles was shown!] My MP had supported my plea for support for people living in a large tent as opposed to a small van!
Housing Benefit would have been payable for a campervan (solid walls!) but not for a luxurious huge tent! I was referred back to chase the DSS! My own funds had been depleted by then :( I had to insist but they eventually 'found' the appropriate rule when I took my sleeping bag with me to their offices!!!!
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