Area: Bennettsbridge
Started: January 1953
Finished: November 1953
Poles used: 940
Line used (km): 86
Premises connected: 80
The figures above were sourced from our REO News magazine, to learn more about what these figures mean, visit our interactive map page. The map above shows the area boundary and is from a digitised version of the original map used during the scheme.
The REO News from October 1953 reports on a demonstration in Bennettsbridge.
This digital scan from the REO News displays the following text:
“In the report on the Bennettsbridge demonstration we were interested to see that the local school teacher had on display a very nice line of home‑made lamp‑shades and fire‑places. Incidentally, we were also glad to note from the same report that the A.O., Mr. Killeen, had lined up some of his sales prospects to see their requirements at the demonstration at which he sold a 3‑plate cooker; a Max‑Arclette Welder; a Servis Washing Machine and two fractional H.P. Motors. Mr. Killeen expects good further sales.”
There was a satisfactory sales total in Bennettsbridge according to The REO News from January 1954.
This digital scan from the REO News displays the following text:
“Bennettsbridge Rural Area, Co. Kilkenny: Mr. J. A. Vale, R.A.E., tells us in his Post Construction report on Bennettsbridge that the strike in Central Stores hit the Area at the worst possible time, just at the commencement of construction. To aggravate matters, there was plenty of local labour originally available but as time progressed, the labour position worsened and in the end most of the crew were recruited from Kilkenny city. Finally, accommodation was unobtainable in the Area with the result that practically the complete gang had to stay in Kilkenny with a consequent increase in the mileage figures.
There was a fair amount of change in the area between the canvass and the development 4½ years later. Of the original 322 acceptances, 16 had become vacant or derelict and two premises had been combined into one. There were 30 backsliders to make a total loss of 47. Against this, 51 new acceptances were obtained to bring the final total to 326. Capital cost increased from £33,040 to £35,813 but revenue improved from £2,162 to £2,327 to improve the area return from 6.43% to 6.59%. This is indeed a commendable result in view of the materials difficulties and in consideration of the fact that over 300 H.T. poles were hoisted without a hedger to keep things going during the early days. Various other factors such as rock, increased demand by power consumers, and an extra 8 post office crossings also added to the capital burden.
The Area Organiser, Mr. Killeen had a quite satisfactory sales total of £1,050 and we are glad to note that future prospects are good. Principal items included 5 Grain Grinders; 4 Pumps; 1 Food Cooker; 2 1‑H.P. Motors; 1 Bentall Oat Crusher; 4 Washing Machines; 5 3‑Plate Cookers; 1 Creda Cadet; 4 Kettles; 3 Irons and a 4‑Plate Cooker for the domestic classes in the school. Contractors from Kilkenny city had fairly good sales including: 10 Cookers; 4 Washing Machines; a large number of Kettles, Irons and Fires and of course Radios.
During construction a number of prospects and refusals in the neighbouring Gowran Area were anxious to be connected up and it is thought that in a couple of years time a combined post‑development in the two areas would have fairly good prospects.”