Area: Woodford
Started: May 1952
Finished: September 1953
Poles used: 1380
Line used (km): 118
Premises connected: 344
The figures above were sourced from our REO News magazine, to learn more about what these figures mean, visit our interactive map. 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 November 1953 notes the utilisation of electrical appliances in Woodford.
This digital scan from the REO News displays the following text:
"Woodford Rural Area, Co. Galway: It may seem to students of the “Progress in Areas” that Woodford was an unduly protracted area. In actual fact this would illustrate the fallacy of believing everything you read. Undoubtedly, the town of Woodford itself received supply for Christmas 1952, but this was done by temporarily detaching a section of the Ballyvaughan gang. Consequently, the incomplete Woodford area nominally remained on the books until September of this year.
Mr. Mooney’s report on the area tells us that they expected to get 353 consumers with a percentage return of 5.58%, but finished up with 449 consumers, with a return of 6.57%. Although there were 26 backsliders, with a consequent decrease, 136 new acceptances were obtained, to give the result stated. The final return is attributed to the fact that many of the new consumers had a very low individual level of economics.
Sales in the area amounted to £950 which, though not high, must nevertheless be adjudged meritorious for the general region. The items included: 3 Cookers; 12 Washing Machines; 1 20 H.P. Motor; 1 10 H.P. Motor; 1 Power Packer; 2 P.S. Water Systems; 1 Mono Pump; 2 outside lights; 18 Irons; 5 Kettles; 6 Fires and 1 Storage Heater.
Mr. Mooney included in his report an interesting list of total appliances in use in the area, which was disclosed when a check was made, apparently when the meter books were being done. The list includes 14 Cookers; 22 Washing Machines; approx. 100 outside lights; approx. 100 Irons; approx. 100 Kettles; 40 Fires. In addition, 70 Wireless Sets; 11 Ice Cream Refrigerators; 2 Domestic Refrigerators and 1 second‑hand Welder were sold by outside contractors. Apparently the A.O., Mr. Cunningham, had considerable difficulty clinching his sales because of the bargaining which was the standard technique of outside contractors.
We cannot but quote in full the last paragraph of the report:
“The increase in the utilisation of electrical appliances and the prosperity that electricity brings was well demonstrated in Woodford town. In the new months following switch‑in a Hair‑dressing Salon for Ladies, and a Garage started up. The Cinema and Church installed heaters—possibly increased attendances—the dancehall became an Electrical Showpiece. The streets were lit, and darkness and misery transformed into brightness and safety. The last remaining thatched cottage in the main street vanished and was replaced by a fine two‑storey slated building. In short, the town stepped forward about three decades.”"