Chairman’s Report

Well it is here, the 50th Anniversary of the Association and it causes me to reflect on what our forefathers would have thought when a dozen of them or so met in a location in Birmingham in 1958 to form this wonderful Association. Let us look at what they may have thought all those years ago and what they would say today.

Would they have been comfortable with a risk assessment approach known in the UK as DSEAR? How about Attended Self Service where we let the public use the equipment and then they honestly go into a large shop and pay without any questions asked? Would you buy petrol from a grocer? Why on earth would I buy a raffle (Lottery) Ticket at the same time as buying my fuel? What happened to the Green Shield Stamps I normally collect! That bit of plastic to get points is no good to me.

By the way, I thought diesel was just for lorries why are people putting it into cars? While I am looking round what is that? (gesturing to an Automatic Teller Machine = ATM).

These are some of the things our ancestors may be saying. Then there is this Unattended Site open all night long where you stick a plastic card into the pump, press a few buttons and you can get your fuel out – no questions asked –and no one in sight for miles. “Maybe I should fill some containers up while I am here as it seems a good time to do it while it is all quiet”

Do you mean to tell me a petrol road tanker turns up on site when the owner is not there and delivers all that fuel on his own? You must be crazy! I certainly do not want them to deliver petrol at that time in the morning as we close at 6 o’clock in the evening and do not open again until 8 o’clock tomorrow morning, of course we are closed on Sundays anyway. Next thing you will expect petrol stations to be open 24 hours a day!”.

How much is fuel? What is a litre? “I am used to paying no more than 2 shillings (10p) a gallon and not a penny more otherwise I am taking my business to that nice Mr Jones down the road. You know the one that can sell you some tyres or a battery if you need one. I think he also sells cigarettes.”

“Can you please let me have my dipstick back as I like to know exactly where I am when checking my petrol stock. Also please do not take my latch pins away from my nozzles as I like to keep them open when I am filling up customer’s cars. By the way, telephoning me automatically to get my wet stock information its like stealing and if you do I will call the Police!”.

“Yes, we did have a spillage the other day but we managed to sweep it away and a bit went down the drain which was helpful to tidy the place up and get rid of the smell. On that subject, I am thinking of changing one of my underground tanks that is inside the car showroom. That should not be a problem will it as we run the vent pipes up the face of the building past all the bedroom windows! I want one that is single skin steel type coated in bitumen. I cannot see the need for having one tank inside the other. What is the point of that!”

What is that thing on top of the vent stack? Looks like some one has plugged it up with a lump of metal which could be dangerous if the fumes cannot escape when the tanker delivers and they want me to pay for a permit to fit it and test it every year? What on earth is going on at the town hall?

“Oh yes I see, we still have our petroleum licence but where have all the conditions gone there is hardly any left! The last time I renewed my licence it was only 10 shillings for the year (50p) now you want me to pay the extortionate sum of £118.00 for a year or the added “luxury” of 3 times that for 3 years – what a cheek!”

I cannot believe it, putting (LPG) gas into a car – huh! – What next, they will think they can put alcohol in it as well!

Anyway I am used to getting my newspaper from my newsagents, my bread from my local baker’s my local delicatessen and grocer will expect me to buy my food from there – not some petrol station. I see they have another crazy idea - setting up petrol stations next to supermarkets – that will never catch on!

Such are some of the changes over 50 years. Doubtless to say there are many more that could be mentioned.

Maybe someone out there has been a member over all of this time. If so please get in touch - we would love to hear from you.

As for the year ahead, I will leave it to others to inform you just what is in store. Be rest assured this Association is in very good hands and as strong as ever so we hope we have great year packed with interesting activities that starts another 50 years.

Best Wishes