At a time when rationing was still in force across Britain, one Caerphilly housewife was the envy of her neighbours as the proud owner of a brand new fridge.
Now 60 years on it is Caerphilly’s oldest fridge and was discovered in Trethomas, belonging to Diane and Phillip Creedy.
The retro, cool-looking, G.E.C fridge, with a small freezer section, dates from the early 1950’s.
The 60-year-old fridge, previously owned by Eileen Williams, Diane’s aunt, was an object of amazement at the time.
Diane explained: “I can remember seeing the fridge as a toddler and being fascinated by opening the door and seeing the light come on.
“It was really exciting to be allowed to go to the fridge and take out the milk.
“Very few people had fridges at this time, they were seen as a status symbol, only owned by the well-off.”
Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Rural Development Partnership had been on the hunt for the oldest fridge freezer for a competition designed to raise awareness of the energy used by old electrical appliances.
As the winner, Dianne is now the lucky owner of a new energy saving Electrolux fridge freezer.
Fridges and freezers are among the highest energy consuming appliances in the home.
On average, a 15-year-old fridge freezer costs more than £110 per year to run.
Cllr Ken James, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Sustainable Development said: “Residents may think they’re saving money by holding onto an old appliance but older models actually use more energy.
“Have a look at the rating on your fridge freezer and see if you could be saving energy and money.”
The Winding House in New Tredegar is in talks to make the historical fridge as part of the museum’s collection.