Godalming becomes first town lit by electric light (1881–1882)

Godalming, a market town in Surrey, claimed to be the first place with a combined public and private electricity supply. In 1881, the borough sought alternatives to gas lighting due to rising costs. Calder and Barrett installed a water-driven generator at Westbrook Mill, powering arc lights in the town centre. The system operated until 1884, when the town reverted to gas.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Godalming is a market town in south-west Surrey. Gas had provided street lighting since 1836, but prices rose during the 1870s, prompting the borough to seek an alternative. The town has a claim to be the first place in the world to have a combined public and private electricity supply, setting the stage for the 1881 installation.

Installation. In 1881, the London firm Calder and Barrett installed a generator driven by two Poncelet waterwheels at Westbrook Mill. This electricity powered three arc lights at the mill. Overhead cables were run above Mill Street to the town centre, where four additional arc lights were installed, marking the town's transition to electric illumination.

Operation and Transition. By the end of 1881, the generator was moved to the rear of the White Hart pub and driven by a steam engine. Siemens took over the operation in April 1882. The electricity supply continued until 1884, when Siemens refused to bid for contract renewal, and the town reverted to gas lighting.

People involved

Sources

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