[Margaret Pilkington]

Yes we had one of those too, but that usually ended up in Ma and Pa's bed....for precisely the reason you stated......it stayed warm for a long time.
Four of us used to sleep in a double bed...two at the top, and two at the bottom(hope you are reading this Mancie - not a typical Tory upbringing is it?)......and we used to have the bed piled up with blankets, candlewick covers(which, I can now admit, I used to pick the candlewick out of) and if it was really cold......Dads greatcoat went on the bed too.
No carpets on the floor......cold, cold lino, with a couple of 'rag rugs' down.
But hey, I am here to remember it.....so must be made of stern stuff.