What does Gas
FROM THE EDITOR
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pring is here, the days are longer, and April feels like the start of a return to a more normal world after an unimaginable year. Millions of Brits have now received their vaccine against Covid-19, and the shops (and pubs!) are due to re-open soon. But what about you? We know that many of you have been working hard throughout the pandemic, keeping people safe and warm in the homes inside which more people have spent more time than ever before, and keeping the hot water flowing so that we can all wash those hands. We’d like you to tell us how the past year has been for you. What has been the impact? Have you been busier than ever or has it been stop-start? Have you had to shield to protect your own health or that of loved ones? What has been the effect on your business, your colleagues and your customers? What have been your biggest challenges – and how have you overcome them? Please tell us about how the past year has affected you, and help us to shine a light on the vital work you’ve done to keep Brits safe and warm. You can share your stories with us via email at editorial@registeredgasengineer.co.uk Nicki Shearer, editor
It’s never too early to start planning for Gas Safety Week. Here we talk to some of the people and organisations that really throw themselves into supporting our industry’s biggest annual campaign to find out why they do it and what they get out of it.
The quickest way to reach the magazine team is via email.
Ibrahim Tural is owner of Real Boiler Servicing, based in Enfield. When he’s not fitting boilers, Ibrahim can often be found handing out flyers and promoting gas safety in his local community. Over the years, he has taken stalls at fêtes, markets and county shows, and has encouraged local DJs and cheerleaders to get involved. “We used to go all out with balloons, banners, costumes, performers, bouncy castles and even an F1 simulator,” Ibraham says. “Sometimes talking about gas safety can be a little doom and gloom, but we wanted to create a different message – to get people in a relaxed state where they’re having fun, so they’ll be more receptive.” Many of the competition prizes Ibrahim has given away are donated by manufacturers, but Ibrahim has funded the rest of the work himself. As a sole trader running his own business, this can be challenging, but he believes the message is important. He says: “The Gas Safety
Gas Safe Register, PO Box 6804, Basingstoke, RG24 4NB. Email: enquiries@gassaferegister.co.uk, register@gassaferegister.co.uk or technical@gassaferegister.co.uk Managing editor: Scott Darroch scott.darroch@gassaferegister.co.uk Editor: Nicki Shearer editorial@registeredgasengineer.co.uk News: Jennie Ward news@registeredgasengineer.co.uk Publisher: Peter McCreary publisher@registeredgasengineer.co.uk Technical consultants: Gary Aymes, Carl Banister, David Smith, Jonathan Stirling Production: Mark Turpin Advertising enquiries only: Ian Carter ian@rgemagazine.co.uk The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of Gas Safe Register. The publishers will accept an advertisement or other inserted material only on the condition that the advertiser warrants that such advertisement does not in any way infringe copyright or contravene the provisions of the Trade Descriptions Act. All copy is subject to the approval of the publisher, who reserves the right to refuse, amend, withdraw or otherwise deal with advertisements submitted to it at its absolute discretion and without explanation. All advertisements must comply with the British Code of Advertising Practice. ABC membership approved 19 March, 2009. Calls to phone numbers starting 084 and 087 cost up to 7p per minute plus your service provider’s charge.
Registered Gas Engineer is written, designed and published by The Team on behalf of Gas Safe Register. 30 Park Street, London, SE1 9EQ
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Ibrahim (second right): ‘We wanted to create a different message’
Ibrahim Tural, gas engineer, Real Boiler Servicing, Enfield Week message is very broad and important to everyone, not just people who have gas in their own homes. It may be that someone who doesn’t have gas might have kids in rented accommodation who do, or maybe a neighbour or elderly person nearby – gas safety affects us all because we’re all part of the same community.” Last year, the impact of the pandemic meant that Ibrahim moved his gas safety messages online, sharing information and running competitions on social media. Ibrahim has seen the benefits to his own business of being a supporter. “Supporting Gas Safety Week has given my business a presence in the community that I would have had to spend £100,000s in advertising to achieve – it’s been phenomenal,” he says. “I’ve been in the local press talking about gas safety. The better the business does, the more I can do to support Gas Safety Week with bigger events that benefit everyone.”
