Family Memories Birmingham MEB

History

There was in Birmingham in 1882 a Birmingham electric Supply Co. Ltd. with a generating station in Dale End. This undertaking was purchased by the Corporation in 1900, and then became the start of the City of Birmingham electric Supply Dept. The supply was Direct Current used to provide power for the City Tramways. When the alternating current became in general use the alternators were still retained for this purpose.

In 1906 a new generating station was built in Summer Lane on the site of the former hospital. It was constructed alongside the canal, with side bays for the barges which brought the coal from the West Bromwich and Wednesfield collieries. The cooling towers were wooden. In the other side of the canal was Cartwrights a timber firm who complained that the steam from the cooling towers did not allow their timber to season properly and even ruined. This lower end of Snow Hill and Summer Lane was always damp from the clouds of steam.

The boundaries of the City were extended in 1911 bringing in Aston Manor and Handsworth Urban District Council. Their generating stations were absorbed into the existing network.

1914 saw the commencement of the Nechells Power Station. Although the 1914-18 War had commenced the project was considered of such importance that its building work was continued throughout. Official opening took place in 1923 by the Prince of Wales. A guard of honour was made up by ex-service men who had the honour of being introduced and shaking hands with the prince.

The General Strike of 1926 saw the volunteers from the office staffs being used for vital tasks necessary to keep the supply in operation. I remember some of my colleagues in 1929 relating their experiences when they had become bargees bringing the coal along the canals.

The first section of a further power station, Hams Hall was opened in 1929 and when extended became the pivot for the National Grid for Central England. The Central Electricity Board had been formed and now high voltage lines fanned out over the Midlands from this point. Summer Lane was phased out. By means of underground cables it was linked to this new source of supply and became one of the most important switching stations for Birmingham and District requirements. Part of the old Summer Lane buildings are still in use for this purpose.

By making large profits the C.B.E.S.D. was able to allocate large sums to help the City of Birmingham in its economy. In addition for four years from 1 October 1936 they were able to reduce charges for their customers. It is of interest to note their business methods in that apparatus was hired out a low cost to domestic consumers. For example a cooker and a kettle could be hired for six shillings a quarter with free wiring. Showrooms were opened in most suburbs. In 1932 there were 119048 customers which rose to 218365 in 1937. New mains laid in 1938 totalled up to a distance of 250 miles.

It was on the 5th November 1929 at this time of great expansion that I commenced duties as a clerk in the Accountants Department of the City of Birmingham electric Supply Department. Although holding School Certificates the three of us prospective candidates for the jobs had to prove our adaptability by an arithmetical test in making up correctly an electricity bill. The accountant was James Dow a Scotsman who evidently apart from the School's Certificates depended on his own tests.