National Grid hosts special Penwortham substation visit for 4-year-old Blackpool girl who loves pylons

A young girl who has a special interest in pylons – also known as electric towers – recently had her dreams come true when she was invited to visit National Grid’s high voltage Penwortham substation in Preston.

Four-year-old Lucy, from Blackpool, recently went viral on TikTok when her mum posted a video capturing her daughter’s special interest in electric towers on the social media platform.

Lucy, who is autistic, has been fascinated by electric towers for almost a year, according to mum Sophie.

Following her daughter’s viral video on social media, Sophie contacted National Grid to request a brochure and some pictures of the electricity transmission towers for Lucy.

It was then that National Grid offered to host Lucy for the afternoon at the nearby 400kV Penwortham substation in Preston, where she was able to safely get close to the transmission towers – even giving one a hug - and learn more about their important role transporting electricity.

She also got to build her very own pylon as part of an educational session with National Grid’s Network Engineering Manager, Wayne Steel, who conducted the site tour for Lucy and her family.

Sophie said: “I am so grateful for the visit as it’s a huge thing to Lucy and will forever be remembered, her special interest in electric towers runs her life. All she wanted was to be able to cuddle one and stand under one and she was able to, which is fantastic. She loves them even more now if that was even possible!"

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Lucy’s fascination with transmission towers began when she saw them on the motorway when taking trips with her family, which quickly developed into a love of watching videos about the towers on YouTube.

Now, mum Sophie says Lucy talks about electric towers wherever they go, and they have become a huge part of her daily life – with Lucy’s favourite pylon pictures providing her comfort when she’s sad, or even when just getting on with the day’s tasks.

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Sophie added: “Electric towers have become a big thing in our lives, so the trip was amazing. Even just for us as parents - something that used to mean nothing to me is now a huge part of our lives and I love it, it’s unique.

"I am so thankful for all the goodies National Grid gave us, there was so much! Lucy's favourite thing was the book made for her with all the pictures. She takes it to bed and has it next to her while she sleeps. But she's also very excited to build the Hornby Pylons - I'm just waiting for the special cement to come in the post!”

Wayne Steel, National Grid’s Network Engineering Manager, added: “It was an honour to host Lucy and her family at Penwortham, and heart-warming to learn all about Lucy’s love of pylons. It is also wonderful to see her special interest in transmission towers being encouraged by her family.

"I can’t wait to see what Lucy does in the future with her love for pylons, and I wish her all the very best!”