Gas-News was born more than five years ago, then under a different name. It has survived where others have not. Key to survival has been the forum, never busier than it is now. And that is also about people.

Sad to say there is no other media which today considers the role of tradespeople, free from external influence, be they advertisers or autocratic self-serving institutions. We could perhaps be forgiven for considering only the role of tradespeople but that would also be self serving. Gas-News is therefore about people, whatever their industry role, including the consumer, without whom no one could exist.

We know our editorial freedom is a rare luxury envied by those in mainstream media, trapped by economic subjugation. Albeit humble and self-appointed, Gas-News is free. That said we suffer one major drawback. Lack of resources and people on the ground. We somehow need to find a way to overcome that problem, out there in the real world.

History

It was decided to begin again, emptying the past into the recycling bin. Nostalgia or whatever, decided otherwise. Trawling through old news with a view to salvaging some content revealed a history that must never be lost.  It is in fact the foundation on which Gas-News was built and enables us to reflect with certainty, on events that define our ongoing purpose. All old news and comment has therefore been salvaged.

We see a record that includes the much abused ILA or Individual Learning Allowance, set up by the Chancellor in such an incompetent way that hordes of cowboy entreprenurs descended like locusts and cleaned up on taxpayers' money.

We see a record that includes the Deputy Prime Minister insisting upon warranty insurance with self-certification, when no such schemes actually existed, and still do not in the wider commercial world. Incompetent themselves, endlessly devising incompetent schemes to combat incompetence.

We see a record that includes British Gas management using ferocious commerical tactics to drive out competition on powerflushing. One mainstream trade media editor who promised Gas-News help, instead accepted a full-page advertisement from British Gas, their first for a long time. Remember also the trade associations stood helpless and did nothing. But they were soundly defeated by Gas-News, visitors and Kamco Limited; Strength in unity.

Three quick examples that tell us we must continue. We will continue.

Back to basics

However humble, Gas-News is and will remain media. Scan the Times Online and you’ll be overwhelmed with information. Gas-News does not have the bodies to produce such volume. The home page will therefore remain modest, in keeping with reality. Content will be limited but will endeavour to be relevant to visitors.

Movement of staff and CEO’s in the wider world has no news value. We are not concerned about how people run their business, but we are concerned when they try to tell other people how to run their business, or worse, lacking ethical enterprise themselves, try to sponge off other people; Tradespeople, once described as low hanging fruit on the tree of commerce.

The basic format will therefore be re-focused on the prime directive. It is intended to demonstrate that when necessary we can mobilise a useful campaign in favour of any issue affecting people.

Your help

Gas-News cannot work alone. Your help is needed to source and deliver news. That may mean devoting time and energy to matters affecting any of us. That said, moral, ethical and legal principles must prevail at all times. Our job.

Your help can include anyone. But do not be offended if limited time prevents us from taking up all offers. A lot of work is carried out unseen, in favour of helping people and many issues affecting people are labour intensive.  Hence the reason the same people may not be able to obtain help from sources they should be able to rely on.

Development

The broad Gas-News format will reflect a media role but that does not prevent anything else being included. A magazine section will therefore be developed, driven from the Features section based on ideas received. That will take some time to develop.

Issues (serious) will be kept separate and some old material will be re-introduced.