Cooking on gas
There is an interesting story in the Daily Mail today, explaining that gas is so expensive in Britain because we sell it cheaply in the Summer to Europe (when we have excess) and then pay through the nose when we need it back.
Now lots of the commenters are blaming EUrope but I think it is all Britain’s fault. (Lots of stuff is the fault of EUrope, of course.)
Back in the late 60s, Britain converted over from Town Gas to North Sea Gas, over a period of ten years. This was absolutely a mammoth project requiring a national pipeline and alteration (or replacement) of every appliance in the Country so that it burned efficiently. (Our school dug out every clapped out and damaged bunsen burner from the cupboards to get a decent replacement number).
I remember us being converted vividly, it was in the Summer of 1972 (I think). The first stage was lost of mail advising us when it was going to happen and a visit to check what appliances we had. Meanwhile, a small gas distribution building near our estate was expanded dramatically with a new building four or five times the size of the old. (The previous year, a huge pipeline was dug and laid in fields nearby, giving us great fun playing in it when it was still above ground and in sections). We were advised that during the week leading up to gas day, we would get our burners altered and a vent would also be fitted in the kitchen if there wasn’t one as the new gas needed better ventilation. (I imagine the old gas needed it as well, but it was an opportunity to ensure safety)
A week before gas day, there was a big cock-up. British gas accidentally turned on the new gas early, a potentially very dangerous scenario. They immediately put a disaster recovery plan into operation. They went round in speaker cars, asking people to turn off their appliances until further notice. Vans turned up with strange flambeaux which were coupled into piping under manholes around the estate. (These flambeaux burned off gas well into the night). They posted leaflets through doors advising us that we could cook with care on low heat, but not to use heating until the all clear (which came late evening).
Later in the week, the fitters turned up. They changed burners on all of the appliances (in our case, the cooker, warm air central heating, living room fire and instant water heating). They also fitted a plastic vent in a window, cutting a hole in the glass to fit it. (I also recall that they cracked it at the top but made the excuse that they needed to do that anyway for expansion). We were told it was OK to use stuff but not to turn it up too high as it would be sooty with a white flame, not mixing the right quantity of air.
Come the big day, the flames burned blue. It smelt different to the old gas (apparently, natural gas doesn’t smell and there is an additive so that you can smell leaks) and we found the biggest fitfall- it was hard to simmer, the new gas being hotter than the old and the flames didn’t quite go as small without going out. (It doesn’t seem to be a problem these days though, lots more smaller jets methinks).
Now one thing that British Gas claimed at the time was that ugly Gas Holders were no longer required, as the gas was pumped at high pressure and we had it coming out of our ears. Indeed, the price of gas was artificially inflated so that electricity didn’t look such a bad deal, even on the economy night time tariffs.
Many Gas Holders did disappear, but by no means all of them. (Fortunately). Now, David was given a copy of “Gas facts- a collection of unusual and historical facts about British Gas” at Fakenham which is undated but shows 1990 as the last entry in a notable gas history events list. IT has the following snippet:
Enough to last
The United Kingdom has estimated reserves of more than 550 billion cubic metres of gas- enough , based on current production levels, to last into the first decade of the twenty-first century. At a time when United Kingdom gas reserves are indicating a decline, available international reserves are increasing by five trillion cubic metres per year. The United Kingdom is the sixth largest gas producer in the world, and in future years growing demand will be met by importing liquefied national gas from regions such as Norway and Siberia in special tankers.
The first decade of the twenty-first century? That’ll be now then. It seems that demand outstrips supply and if we had had the gumption to keep, maintain and expand our gas holder stock, we wouldn’t be committing the crazy commodity approach of selling low and buying high.
I blame the Government, but then again, I would. I blame all Governments that don’t actively legislate to roll back the stifling hand of legislation. I don’t blame privatisation and don’t suggest re-nationalisation as despite all the claims to be based on benefit rather than profit, the Government always under-invests in the long run, bucking the free market always has detrimental effects.
