I had it in mind to produce a guide for prospective exhibitors at any future Installer-Live, but on reflection it seems a bit pointless now. Regardless of what is published by Corgi or anyone else, the truth has already spread like a bush fire throughout our several nations; four, actually four and statistically four.

Take careful note of what is printed about Installer-Live. Knowing something of the truth, let that be your guide to the usefulness of media concerned. In attendance were PHPI, HPM and PHAM News who were apparently dispensing copies of their latest edition, sporting the headline “CORGI criticised for lack of consultation with Council”.

Absence of copy I could live with but porkies will be robustly challenged.

The guide would have taken the form of a list of questions to put to show organisers. Questions demanding written answers and forming an integral part of terms and conditions in any contract.

Prospective exhibitors could also consider asking Installer-Live for warranty insurance, assuming anyone would underwrite such a risk, based on 2005.

Should there be a registration scheme for exhibition organisers I wonder. Despite their unique power, grossly unfair trading advantage and blatant flouting of data protection issues, Installer-Live could only muster token support, and some of that was undoubtedly no more than morbid curiosity.

I am pleased to say that I have never been tempted by the spam I receive, which is now rare thanks to Mailwasher. I have never needed to be tempted. I say that because I do not want anyone sniggering when I say I had to look up Nell McAndrew, the alleged celebrity who opened the show.

Exhibitors may wish to ask why the Installer-Live website was not kept up-to-date. Sloppy workmanship for an alleged media company. 60 names only listed and three of those duplicates, one due to a spelling error.

What concerns me also is that two small exhibitors who booked early never made it onto the website but other bigger companies arrived later; Sloppy or suspicious ? Either way disgraceful.

Good old Fernox appears on the website but seems to have swapped places with Sentinel on the list provided in the last-minute (26.05.2005) mailshot, which includes 71 names. That mailshot by the way exhorts “For an updated list of exhibitors, and to learn more about this unique show, visit www.installer-live.com”.

Well, it was certainly unique but for the wrong reasons. Maybe Corgi will make it mandatory to attend next time. There is theoretically nothing to stop them following the bizarre introduction of GWN.

Notably absent and a hobby horse of mine I know, was due support for Part L 2002. Some testing equipment I accept but nothing to test. No controls to make a trip worthwhile. I also mourn the absence of the much neglected subject of insulation which has long since been mandatory under building regulations.

That includes pipe wrap, which I would urge other shows to include even if for once they have to donate a small space to the relevant trade body as a gesture to our green and pleasant.

They could maybe share that bit of altruism with The Association of Registered Gas Installers (ARGI) and find out first hand what Installers really want to see. Ignore unsubstantiated, fanciful and discredited claims made elsewhere about feedback from Installers.

History will show that controls, insulation, good installation, cleaning, additives, magnaclean and regular maintenance will do more for the environment than the current obsession with condensing boilers alone, driven principally to boost GDP.