Detailed History

Ken Hodges was born in 1927 in Bath and lived in the Bear Flat area of Bath throughout his childhood. He had 4 sisters and left school at 16 years old. He undertook and completed an electrical apprenticeship with Central Electricians in Bath during the course of, and after, the Second World War. This company was involved in engineering works in the rubber and steel manufacturing industries. However, in 1945 Ken was called up and joined the RAF. He was then due to fly to India but caught chickenpox and missed his posting. Then he was posted to St Athens (South Wales) where he was a temporary fireman; unfortunately he was involved in road traffic accident while on duty and he was hospitalised and taken to RAF Wroughton (Swindon); where his mother and father visited him (this was the last time he saw his father). In 1948 Ken left the RAF and continued his employment with Central Electricians in Bath.

In 1951, Ken moved to the South Western Electricity Board (which later became known as SWEB) and spent twelve years there, training others and ending up in the Inspection Department. In 1960 Ken met his future wife, Rita, and they married and purchased a house in Combe Down (where Ken and Rita are still living today). During the period 1961 to 1967 Rita gave birth to Lindsay, Richard, Stephen and David.

In 1963 Ken decided to start his own business (K.W.Hodges Electrical Contractors) and obtained many contracts involving all types of work, such as agricultural, hotels and domestic/new housing. He employed eight electricians and apprentices during the seventies and eighties.

During the seventies Ken and Rita took on a hardware business (Godwins Hardware) in Bear Flat and changed the name to Hodges Hardware, which in turn brought a change to the name of the electrical company to Hodges Electrical Contractors; the two businesses operated alongside each other and became part of the local scene. Unfortunately a big DIY store came to Bath and the hardware business suffered, so Ken and Rita sold the shop in the early eighties but retained the workshop, and office, as a base for the electrical business as it is today.

In 1987 Ken’s second son Stephen came into the family business to learn the ropes and did his apprenticeship under the watchful eye of his father. In 1990 with a recession well on the way and with Ken’s impending retirement, Ken worked alongside Stephen until January 1994 when Ken retired leaving Stephen to run the business. Stephen still runs the business today – keeping the family tradition going. In 2005 the business became a limited company, Hodges Electrical Contractors Limited, but still trades as Hodges Electrical Contractors. In addition to Stephen, the business currently employs 3 electricians, 1 apprentice and a part-time PA.

Ken grealty enjoyed his sport, being a keen Cricketer with Hampset Cricket Club, he played rugby and later became a referee at Old Sulians. Skittles was another favourite of Ken's and these days he plays bowls at Bloomfield Bowls Club. Stephen often gets stopped by people to tell him about Ken's days as a cricketer and what a good bowler he was.

Hodges Electrical Contractors

7B Hayesfield Park

Bath

BA2 4QE

Office: 01225 422047

Fax: 01225 422047

Mobile: 07831 607540

Email:

hodgeselectrical@btconnect.com

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