Atmosphere electric as Flash meets Raef (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Atmosphere electric as Flash meets Raef

10:44am Tuesday 3rd June 2008 in Search By Mhairi Macfarlane

A LEYTONSTONE activist with a passion for pylons had a surprise visit from an apprentice evictee while appearing in a live television show.

Founder of the Pylon Appreciation Society, Flash Bristow, 32, was being filmed for a feature exploring the hobby of "spotting things" for the BBC's The ONE Show, when silver-tongued Raef Bjayou from the Apprentice dropped in to read Flash a poem about her peculiar passion - electricity pylons.

She said: "I assumed he would be in the studio, so to find him in my lounge was quite a shock."

Once filming had finished, a crowd of young fans had gathered outside her home to catch a glimpse of the entrepreneurial television star, who gladly posed for photos.

Flash had been appearing in the programme to talk about the society she set up in 2005 for people who share her appreciation for pylon-spotting.

She said: "Although it is a bit odd, it interests all kinds of people. I have met members who have said they thought they were the only one. They are so pleased to find people with the same interest as themselves. It is an odd hobby - but I'm not alone in it."

Members of the society include curious primary school children, engineering students, and those simply inspired by them.

Flash, a web designer, said: "I like them on different levels. They are like giant people and a brilliant piece of engineering. They are a very effective design with lattice so you can see through them, and they are light-weight so they are cheaper.

"I think they are graceful and add something to the landscape."

Flash's interest was sparked in 1990 after watching a National Power advert showing pylons walking across the landscape, and since 1999, she has been showcasing a "Pylons around the world" photo gallery on her website, The Gorge.

But although some environmentalists argue that pylons destroy the natural beauty of the countryside, Flash disputes this.

"The alternative is to dig the land up and out it under ground which means more damage, particularly in areas of natural beauty. There is less harm with pylons because they don't have to lift the land."

Since appearing on the BBC show, Flash has received 50 emails of support, and is hoping for more following an appearance on Countryfile on June 22.

Flash's favourite local pylons: Stratford by the Greenway, off the High Street.

Sainsbury's car park opposite Walthamstow dog track - in the One Show programme.

Flash's favourite pylons of all time: Braintree substation, visible from A120 - in the One Show programme.

Thames crossing, Dartford.

Click here to read Flash's latest blog