Farm safety, rural resilience and how customers can receive additional free assistance during power cuts will be the focus of Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) at this year's BBC Countryfile Live show.

Held in the grounds of Oxfordshire's Blenheim Palace, the show runs from 1 to 4 August and SSEN will be there to welcome the 120,000 people expected to attend over the four days; providing them with information on its customer services and practical advice on staying safe around its central southern England network.

In addition to images and examples of network damage to highlight the safety measures farmers and domestic customers are being asked to address as they work around overhead lines and underground cables, the SSEN stand will offer show attendees the opportunity to sign up for its free Priority Services Register (PSR) that helps those who may feel vulnerable during a power cut, and to discuss the Resilient Communities Fund set up to provide grants of up to £20,000 to local communities.

SSEN's Customer Relationship Manager for the area, Lucy Anderson said: "The BBC Countryfile Live show is a well-established event in our region and enables SSEN to talk directly to its customers about the services and measures we take to keep them safe around our network and ensure that they are provide with the best care and assistance should they experience a power cut.

"This year, we'll be on hand to talk any visitors through the services we offer; in particular the PSR which they can sign up for there and then, the funding we can provide to local communities and good causes through the Resilient Communities Fund, and the Look Out, Look Up farm safety campaign that we have run with backing from the NFU."

"We'd love to see our customers at the show, to introduce ourselves and talk about the work we do to keep the lights on for them 24/7."

Customers can qualify for SSEN's Priority Services Register if they:

  • Are dependent on electricity for home medical care
  • Have a chronic illness or short term medical condition
  • Are disabled
  • Have special communication needs
  • Have children under the age of five
  • Are over the age of 60

By registering for SSEN's PSR, customers will be proactively contacted to warn them of potential bad weather to help them prepare and to offer extra support where required. SSEN's teams will also keep in close and regular contact with its PSR customers during network outages to check they are getting the help they need.

For further information on SSEN's campaign for rural safety, see this year's 'Look out, Look up' campaign and a full report on SSEN's Resilient Communities Fund and how applications can be made, can be found here - https://www.ssen.co.uk/RCF/ .

SSEN's stand at this year's BBC Countryfile Live show will be positioned at D08 and all show attendees are welcome to come along to meet the team.