Ashton’s talk was billed as, ‘An illuminating talk…electricity on the
Island.’ At the conclusion, I confessed to having had some doubts as to whether
or not this might be too specialist for a general meeting. I readily admitted
that my concern was totally unnecessary!
After a sparkling introduction by Corrie Wooding, Ashton read a brief
definition of electricity. He didn’t go back quite as far as the Ancient
Greeks’ discovery of static electricity when wheat chaff in the fields stuck to
the amber beads of their necklaces, but very nearly! It was a useful revision
of our school physics, reminding us of how curious and at times, alarming this
force can be.
We gave some thought to the various forms of electricity such as
current, static, and radio waves, reminding us that despite knowledge of this force
stretches back several thousand years, it is really only in the last century
that we have managed to harness it for our use.
By way of personal history, we learned that Ashton had served for 45
years with the MEA, before retiring four years ago. As an apprentice, he
realised that he would have to improve his qualifications and studied O-levels
and then A-levels in Liverpool as appropriate courses weren’t available here.
Further studies took him right on to becoming a Chartered Engineer in 1976/7. His
rise from apprentice to Chief Executive is the stuff of dreams but achieved
through hard work and talent!
Ashton got to know Peel well, digging up the streets and installing
sub-stations in the 1980’s, involved with the ‘new’ power station and in the
1990’s getting to grips with updating the whole system. The race was on to
ensure a constant, dependable supply for the burgeoning communications
revolution. Televisions, high – fi’s, mobiles, home computing all expanding
domestic needs. Coupled to E-gaming, on-line shopping and banking, a huge
investment of knowledge, infrastucture and cash was vital.
In 1893, The Manx Electric Railway had to install their own generators,
embodying an electric power company. As well as supplying the trams and their
own premises, wires were tapped from the overhead wires to feed some of the
properties bordering the line. In 1923, a power station was suggested at
Pulrose and this was built between 1929 and 1933. Electricity was supplied to
Peel and five other towns. 1949 – 55 saw a rural electrification scheme,
including farms, funded by the government. A few remote locations are still
without supply.
1950 – 51, ‘old’ Peel power station was built and in 1984, The MEA was
born – one authority for the whole island. More recently, this has combined
with the water authority as a utility company. Normally, we try to keep water
and electricity apart!
I hesitate to quote all the figures Ashton gave us but 1 000 km of
overhead cables on 11 000 wooden poles, some still in fine condition from the
1930’s was impressive as were 1.000 substations and 100km of sub-sea cable
weighing 5cwt a metre – I hope I’ve got these mixed units correct!
Questions were invited during the talk as well as after refreshments.
These were so lively and well informed that we went on later than usual so that
I almost had to throw people out! Numbers of the audience were specialists in
power generation and supply so we all benefited.
Interest was shown in the sample cables on display, particularly in
fibre optics. The importance of our 2-way link with the UK is much appreciated
as, whilst being a potential back-up for us, it also earns the island a useful
profit. There was also interest in the 8% generated by our energy from waste
plant and the 100 000 units generated by hydro-electric power. More is
available from private, ‘green’ generation.
Our next event is the Christmas party and entertainment at Peel Golf
Club at 7.30pm on Tuesday, 9th December. Tickets are still available
from Corrie Wooding on 843502. You don’t have to be a member to have a
wonderful evening!
