Area: Collinstown
Started: January 1953
Finished: August 1953
Poles used: 796
Line used (km): 77
Premises connected: 40
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 local people in Collinstown were very friendly reports The REO News from November 1953
This digital scan from the REO News displays the following text:
"Collinstown Rural Area, Co. Westmeath: We will take a small liberty with Mr. F. P. Cremins’ report on Collinstown by dealing with his last paragraph first. He tells us that the local people were very friendly and that high tributes to the gang were paid in the local newspaper when they were leaving. As some indication of the cordial relationship that prevailed, Mr. Cremins informs us that Collinstown is still proving to be a pleasant “weekend retreat” for several members of the gang.
The strike at Central Stores and Polefield caught the crew on the wrong foot, and the condition was aggravated by the fact that half the original delivery of “turkeys” S.A.C. was found to be defective, and had to be returned to Stores. We can guess the difficulty of shortage of S. & D. Stores was experienced for some time. Even under normal circumstances attituders are hard to find for such items as Split Bolt Connectors. Since Collinstown is a “neutralised” area, the demand for this latter item was fairly heavy. The crew found that the Compression “I” Connectors (from line to aerial) were very satisfactory and easy to manage, the only criticism made refers to a shortage of Compression Tools.
The original outlook in the area was rather gloomy when 70 acceptances decided to change their minds. Good work by A.O. McCarthy, and a very helpful local committee, reduced the figure to an unrelenting 17. In addition, there were 5 derelict houses; 8 had become vacant; there was a change of tenancy and 1 house was rejected on economic grounds. To counter these losses, 76 new consumers were obtained, to bring the total acceptances to 265, 186 of which had already been connected. The return improved from 5.94% to 6.16%, which is particularly creditable in view of the fact that the corresponding capital cost was down, aided by the fact that Central Stores strike appears to have let prices fall.
We regret to note that sales were poor at a total of £406, comprising principally: 16 Irons; 9 Fires; 7 Kettles; 4 Cookers; 1 3‑plate Cooker; 3 Washing Machines; 1 Refrigerator; 1 Immersion Group; 1 300W Floor‑sweeping Transporter. Sales by contractors were more impressive and included 4 special trade prices and some motors, pumps and welders. Among our sales were: 10 Kettles; 10 Irons; 7 Fires; 2 Vacuum Cleaners; 1 Burco Boiler; and 1 Pump. There was a little progress made regarding pumps but no subscriptions had been taken up as yet and sales. About 40% of consumers installed outside lights.
The area is not the type one generally expects to find in the Midlands. Rolling hills in some of the towns and countryside generally has many interesting features. There is one part known as the “Stockhole” which is near Twyford‑The‑Sevonte‑Manor whose area was once the limits of a famous Abbey.
The report pays tribute to the excellent work of Supervisor, C. Bradley, Area Clerk, G. Mulrooney, and the gang generally for their appreciation of the materials position and their efforts to overcome the difficulties."