We have had a small transformer right next door to us for years.  It stands on 2 poles and our electricity is supplied from there - as it does to our neighbours.  My only worry about it is that it may attract lightning - being metal and standing above ground.  It is likely that it is going to have to be changed for a larger one soon and besides the fact that it is unsightly does anyone know if it is a health risk like pylons (I would think not because the high power cable is below ground and only emerges to come up the pole to the transformer) or a risk of being struck by lightning.  The guy from the company says not - but he would wouldn't he.  We are on the side of a hill.  Anyone out there know anything please. 

Had a quick word with Hubby who is an electronics engineer in the power industry and he says it will be earthed so should not be a problem. 
As to the dangers of pylons, magnetic fields and what have you, no evidence has ever been found to suggest they are a danger to human health and it has always amuses me that when you claim the same effect for a collar or bracelet you can call it beneficial and charge 30 or 40 quid for it :-)

Thanks Isobel - I have to admit to having once had a bag packed, unplugged every electic item in the house and got the dog on the lead ready to get out to the car in one bad storm.  My hubby funnily enough had flu and slept through it all!  No wonder my dog is a bag of nerves when there is a storm :-).  As for the electro magnetic force - have been doing some reading on that.  Seems that my clockradio emits high amounts - it should be 6' away from the bed!  It has never kept accurate time even though it is supposed to correct itself every night.  

As to the dangers of pylons, magnetic fields and what have you, no evidence has ever been found to suggest they are a danger to human health

No evidence but  a fair bit of concern for some people. A friend of mine lives in a village which has a huge radio mast at the end of their country lane. The mast, until recently, had a large number of dishes on it that belonged to the MOD and some for the US Air Force. There are approx 30 houses in that area and 18 people from that road have been diagnosed with various types of cancer . My friend's husband and one of her son's are amongst those. No evidence to prove a connection but it does make me wonder. It is almost impossible to sell your house if you live in that road. Personally I wouldn't buy a house anywhere near a pylon, radar mast etc.

Yes, they do cause concern but the research, and there has been plenty of it, has never come up with anything.  Cancer clusters, unfortunately do occur. 
I would point out that radio waves are not the same as the magnetic field that may be found around electrical gear, it is a much higher frequency but, so Hubby tells me, there is no accepted evidence that this would harm either.  You raise a good point about the value of property.  A lot of people feel as you do.

This is quite interesting

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1516690/Experts-rule-out-houses-near-pylons.html

I can't remember where I read it but am sure one of the mortgage companies won't lend on properties that are situated close to pylons etc.

> can't remember where I read it but am sure one of the mortgage companies won't lend on properties that are situated close to pylons etc.

I think that could be a market decision and I do think it is a shame for people that already own these houses.  It does not take much to scare people and proving a negative is like chasing your tail.

I always thought the same about Pylons, but MIL lives very close to one and the wires/lines go over her house and property.  She is 84 and in the most disgustingly good health :-D  We have had to impound her step ladders and other tools as OH found her clearing the gutters at the top of the house and planning to have a look at the chimney   we've had to make her promise to not paint the stairwell - OH can do it quickly enough ;)

We got a phone call from her neighbours last time to tell us that she was digging up the 15ft conifers out the back and they thought we'd like to know   she goes on bus trips every week and wears out people half her age - including me!

I'm now thinking of looking for house near a pylon - I want to be like her at 84!!

That is the way to be!  Don't think I have that energy now!   I am busy reading up about all of this now - you wouldn't believe the amount of stuff that gives off electromagnetic rays - for the nervous - don't press this link!!  http://www.who.int/peh-emf/about/WhatisEMF/en/

> for the nervous - don't press this link!! 

On the contrary, get to the second page and it is very reassuring :-)

True - I had gone straight to the page with the figures on and had skipped that one.  I should learn to read things properly.