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August 5, 2016updated 08 Aug 2016 4:51pm

Thomas Crapper names toilet in honour of the Stratford Herald

By Freddy Mayhew

Who says journalism is going down the pan?

Famed bathroom fittings manufacturer Thomas Crapper has named a new toilet in honour of local newspaper the Stratford Herald – and it’s anything but bog standard.

For every “Herald” pan, worth £395, that is sold, Thomas Crapper will donate £10 to the Stratford Cancer and Eye Hospital appeal – the paper’s nominated charity.

Both firms are more than 150 years old, although the Herald was first published a year earlier in 1860.

The Herald will be putting its new pan to good use straight away by inviting people to “spend a penny” in the form of donations for the hospital.

Visitors to its Rother Street offices reception will have the chance to throw some coins into the (unplumbed) pan over the next few weeks.

The Herald’s new partnership has been welcomed by current owner Richard Boyden, whose family have owned the title through four generations since 1880.

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Boyden said: “I’m not worried at all about having the Herald associated with a toilet and I think it’s wonderful that we now have a connection with such an iconic brand.

“Stratford needs a hospital and it’s right that, as the local paper and an important part of the community, we are supporting such a great cause.”

Herald staff with the new toilet pan from Thomas Crapper

Herald staff with the new toilet pan from Thomas Crapper

Herald editor, Amanda Chalmers, said the partnership was “too good to resist”, adding: “We’re only too aware of the jokes and puns we are opening ourselves up for but we can promise you, we will be laughing along too.

“How many other newspapers can boast this claim to fame? As far as we can tell this is a first and we’re extremely proud of that.

“Thank you to Thomas Crapper for this uniquely special honour — we all feel justifiably ‘flushed with success’.”

In exchange for donations to the hospital appeal, the newspaper said it would publish two paragraphs about a person’s business or in memory of a loved one lost to cancer.

Readers are also being invited to have their photo taken on the Herald lavatory that the paper hopes will culminate in a photo special at a later date.

Paul Dwyer, managing director at Thomas Crapper, said: “We believe in putting something back into the community in which we work so to be able to raise money for something like this is fantastic.”

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