Electricity arrived in Borth before the Second World War, although there were still homes without power in the late 1970s. Many of the holes that were dug to hold the poles that carried the electricity wires around the village were excavated by hand. The electricity was generated by two large diesel generators located in the Power House near Borth train station.
Hugh Hughes’ father dug holes for Borth and Ynyslas Supply Company both before and after the Second World War. Hugh still has his father’s pole borer to this day. He said: “They certainly built tools to last back in the day. The borer still does an excellent job in boring holes for new trees or roses in the garden”.
Contributor: Hugh Hughes