Bilton man celebrates 50 years with Western Power

A man from Bilton is looking forward to retirement after celebrating an impressive 50 years with Western Power Distribution.
John Kington has celebrated 50 years service with Western Power. Photo by Lionel Heap.John Kington has celebrated 50 years service with Western Power. Photo by Lionel Heap.
John Kington has celebrated 50 years service with Western Power. Photo by Lionel Heap.

John Kington first joined the company as an apprentice in 1966 at the age of 15 and has been working in the Coventry and Warwickshire area ever since.

He is currently employed as a cable jointer but previously worked as a foreman. He is also trained to work on overhead power lines, to fit meters and carry out office duties.

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Reminiscing about his early years with Western Power, John said: “When I started, the guys didn’t have their own company vehicles.

“An open-backed wagon would take everyone out to site and collect them at the end of the day.

“As the junior member of the team it was my responsibility to make the tea, so I would often take my bike and cycle to site so that I could boil up the water and have the tea ready for when the gang arrived.

“The job’s advanced a lot over the years and many aspects have become a lot easier and less physically demanding but the safety aspect still remains a priority.”

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John and his wife, Mary, have three children and four grandchildren - with two more due later this year.

Having worked on the electricity network across the region over the last five decades and celebrated his 50 year anniversary with the company, John now plans to retire at the end of the month.

He added: “I’ve liked the job and always enjoyed working with a good gang of lads but it’s time to hang up my shovel now.”