That said, whilst the time lapse has been considerable, I note with concern that the main issues facing Installers then were not different from the issues faced today. Indeed, failure to address the issues then has resulted in a worstening situation. Let that be a warning to us all.

At the time of the last editorial the noble APHC were engaged in battle with CORGI over Gas Work Notification (GWN).  The APHC lost that one, having bravely fought their corner on the legality of GWN. The judge did not ask whether it was legal but whether it was illegal. That was pivotal and indeed in my opinion a predictable but correct judgement.

Now we are faced with a situation where a confident CORGI are blatantly stealing commercially sensitive information from Installers.  Information Installers are required to give to CORGI or risk losing their license to work. This is the United Kingdom in 2007.

That information is being given to other companies, to enable the CORGI Group Ltd to grow and in turn no doubt, justify salary increases for executives, who will obviously require a salary commensurate with the inflated turnover. Good old fashioned empire building.

I believe that the CORGI CEO's claim to be 'representing' Installers in the Gas Installer is another dangerous step in the direction of empire building, to the detriment of everyone, except CORGI. That must be dealt a swift blow and weight thrown behind ARGI, as it develops from relative infancy.  ARGI has real members and is the only official voice of those members.

Neither CORGI nor Gas-News represent anyone. Neither has members nor any sort of mandate. You cannot vote for proprietors of CORGI or Gas-News. At real trade and professional associations you can. Keep that in mind. Without an ARGI, democracy will, not might, sink into oblivion.

Meanwhile the woe, woe and thrice woe rhetoric from the trade press proved to be groundless on the subject of condensing boilers. Known affectionately as steamers by Installers and High Efficiency boilers by manufacturers, those beasts have slipped easily into routine use. What the fuss was about I don't know.

I am hoping that the new website will encourage others to participate across the board. Some are already getting involved behind the scenes to enable us to reach out where necessary and address issues facing Installers and Consumers.