Stick Your Boiler Where The Sun Don’t Shine

NO NO wait a minute. I am not being rude and insulting you. But it maybe something you would want to consider or have considered but rejected because of a misconception that it would be costly.

What I am going on about is putting your boiler up in the loft. And why not. Mid terraced, end of terrace, and even semi-detached properties don’t always have the ideal place to fit a new boiler. Regulations and how you want your home to look sometimes restrict the available sites. Who wants a boiler in their bedroom or bathroom? I’ve even seen them in the Living room. Either way they are a necessity, so why not shove it up in the loft. Here are a good few reasons:-

· Does not clutter up available storage space in the home, like under the stairs, in airing cupboards, kitchen cabinets etc.
· Does not spoil the look of your home placed in the bathroom, bedroom or living areas.
· Most boilers nowadays don’t need YOUR attention (you don’t even have to look at it) as remote wireless controls, like programmable room thermostat, are fitted where YOU want them. And being wireless they tell the boiler what to do.
· Being up in the loft actually makes it easier sometimes for servicing purposes as the engineer doesn’t have to squeeze in cupboards, dismantle cupboards, or stand on work surfaces – your work surfaces.
· Your actually utilizing that loft space not just for storage.
· Your not annoying your neighbours or yourselves to the flue plumming over boundaries or your patio, instead it directed vertically out the roof.

So it’s worth at least a consideration, and as I said, it doesn’t have to cost you an arm or a leg to fit.

A non-obligation quote from us, talking through what will need to be done, is all it takes. Many of our Checkatrade customers have been really pleased with our team and installation. Check us out beforehand at http://www.checkatrade.com/MoggridgePlumbing/ and then give us a call or send us an email enquiry.

I look forward to meeting you, and hope we can be of service.

If you have any initial questions please write them below for a reply.

RAAF 458 Squadron Deliver Final Blow to German Occupation of Corsica 1943

 It is nigh-on the 70^th Anniversary of the retreat of the German occupation of the island of Corsica. Not perhaps as well know as perhaps the brave boys of 617 Squadrons’ Dambuster raid on three dams in Germany, but all action had their reason and of equal importance, small and large, with differing success, failure, survivors and losses. This is a picture of a moment in time back in 1943, covering the retreat of the Axis Forces, and is in recognition of the men and women that bravely fought for their country.

On the 7th September 1943 Commandant von Senger of the German Armed Forces of Sardinia and Corsica, landed his SS Assault Brigade, on the island of Corsica at the southern tip: Bonifacio. His 12,000 troops were to join forces with the existing Italian occupation. (This would have swelled to a huge occupational force, considering the island inhabitants, numbered only 220,000). Unknown to von Senger at the time, that the very next day, the Italian government concluded an armistice with the Allies. This was a bit of a setback, as the island was garrisoned by the four divisions of Major General Giovanni Magli’s Italian VII Corps. A contingent of 85,000 men. Von Senger immediately ordered the Reichsfuher-SS Assault Brigade to secure the bridgehead at Bonifacio, aiding the landing of his 90th Panzergrenadier Division from Sardinia. A support of a further 30,000 men and arms.

German Naval Command were given orders for the transportation of troops from Sardinia to Corsica and to give it high priority. In addition all equipment should be rescued. The task and movement of 30,000 men, over 4000 vehicles including tanks and guns, across the Strait of Bonifacio, was to take up to 10 days and was met with little or no intervention by Allied forces.

Von Senger tried to negotiate the surrender of the Italian contingent, but with little success. Whilst a small number of Italian units continued to support the German invaders, it is believed the majority withdrew into the interior mountainous regions of the island. Fighting (or avoiding) the German forces, alongside existing French resistance, but otherwise preventing any coast-to-coast military movements (conflicting reports differ widely on the numbers and their intentions). But despite opposition from the Italian and French insurgents, which apparently fought independently of each other without co-ordination or co-operation, the now 40,000 strong garrison of men retreated northward towards Bastia, destroying major ports and airfields in their wake.

The retreat was arduous for the convoy, being held down and restricted to the eastern road, by Corsican Partisans and the landing of Free French troops on the western coast at Ajaccio on the 13^th September. Led by General Henri Honoré Giraud, they were to strengthen the barrage of fire from Allied air and sea assaults, controlling the German retreat. The 90^th Panzer unit was outnumbered, and their escape route under heavy bombardment. Their only protection coming from artillery firing on the hills, giving a respite for the harried column of vehicles to edge forward, further hampered by German vehicle casualties blocking the road. Bastia was in their sights and had to be seized, but it was held by Italian Forces, determined to hold off the attacking German thrust on the town, with their artillery fire on the approach roads.

Ironically the artillery fire halting the German advance was from their own 88mm flack cannons. A gift to the Italians made by Adolf Hitler and deployed by Mussolini to protect Bastia. Only the battery was not now in Italian hands but the Free French. A double insult insofar as the unit was being commanded by a former SS-Unterscharfũhrer, a defector now betraying his comrades. German morale was at it’s lowest point. Leaflet drops ordering their unconditional surrender still didn’t faze them though. They soldiered on in their determination, counter attacking the bombardment, with their own 88’s.

On the 12^th September Nazi Supreme Command (Oberkommando de Wehmacht) issued orders for the evacuation of Corsica to their Naval Warfare Command. Over the next couple of days, the 90^th Panzers successfully secured the route to the port and airfield of Bastia, back into German hands from the Italian military control. Their success was to be short lived, as von Senger received orders not to defend Corsica, but to start an immediate air and sea evacuation of the island. On entering the port they were to find the harbour virtually unusable, with scuttled ships and boats blocking the channel. Nestled in a natural basin surrounded on all sides by mountains, and the sea as the only exit point for take-off, the airfield initially would be their only means of escape.

Over the next few week the German Forces systematically made an evacuation of their men and war materials, using Junker 52 transport planes. By the 19^th at least 3000 men had been airlifted to the continent. Constant Allied air and artillery attacks hampering their departure. A German light infantryman stated in his memoirs that one of the first to depart the island was their Commander von Lungershausen, handing over his command, to the next in line. This action was to continue down the ranks, being more interested in their own safety than the safety and leadership of their troops.

Allied NAAF medium Mitchell and heavyweight Liberator Bombers, increased air support from the 20th September, aiding strikes on Bastia shipping, port and airfield facilities. In the same month a detachment of RAF 500 Squadron moved into Ghisonaccia on Corsica, armed with Hudson lightweight Bombers, following the German withdrawal and capture of the airfield by Free French forces on the 26^th September. They were to remain there until January/February 1944.

 

Of those overloaded Junker 52’s that were to take off, attack by Allied forces did not cease. 328 wing RAF 39 Squadron based in Protville Tunisia deployed Beaufighter aircraft, searching and intercepting evacuating enemy transport planes, under the escort and protection of ME-109 Messerschmitt fighters.

 

It was reported that by the 3^rd of October von Senger departed on the last German ship to leave Bastia harbour, leaving a destruction of the islands’ harbours, road bridges, airfields, including 700 dead and 350 POWs. French Corsicans finally taking over this last evacuation point the very next day. The streets and buildings now empty and desolate. A ghost town.

“So was the bombing operation of 458 squadron on the morning of the 4^th , as some report; unnecessary?” Not at all. Firstly, although there are conflicting views on the actual day the German occupation completed their evacuation ranging between the 3^rd and 5^th October, there is also very strong evidence that pockets of German and hostile Italian military were still in Bastia. Enemy activity still around the port, and aircraft being used, to evacuate to mainland Italy. 458 Squadron was therefore, quite rightly, detailed to attack.

Following orders 458 RAAF Squadron took off from their base in Protville, Tunisia. They were to drop 35 x 250lb bombs on the ports’ docks and warehouses of the morning of the 4^th October. The intention being to destroy war materials assembled for evacuation by German forces.

458 RAAF Squadron – Bastia Harbour – Artist Impression

Knowing that the taking of Bastia was imminent, Colonel McKenzie their CO flew his personal Hurricane to Bastia, to witness his aircrafts’ accurate bombing.

Four Wellingtons (XIII type) were ordered up led by F/O Maxwell, F/Lt Orchard, F/Sgt Verity and W/O D. O. Watson and their crews.

F/lt Orchard boldly bombed the waterfront from 700 feet after diving from 5,000 feet. Shrapnel peppering them from their own bombardment. The rest of the squadrons’ bombing run being delivered from a safer 7000 and 4000ft. The attack was indeed a success and without any opposition. At the end of the run a green ‘Very’ light was sent up. Colonel McKenzie undoubtedly congratulating the Squadron on their performance. The final campaign ‘Operation Firebrand’ completed, liberating the island of Corsica from the forces of the Third Reich.

Following liberation 458 squadron was ordered to Bone, Algeria and Col McKenzie joined RAF 500 Squadron in Ghisonaccia.

Pork Chops in Spaghetti

 Pork Chops in Spaghetti –

This is an old recipe that I’ve updated from 30 years ago, when our taste buds were a bit more bland, compared with today’s more spicy tastes. The original is from an old book by Katie Stewart ‘500 Recipes for Cooking for Two’. Remember those days before children?

Anyway, although I particularly like this recipe, the taste buds of my family dreaded me dishing this up for them, and the dish became less and less used. Until the day I made it, but was missing a tin of chopped tomatoes, and substituted them with a jar of Kung Po. My family gave a sigh, but was pleasantly surprised, and now they like this dish. So here is my revamped dish from yesteryear. Hope you enjoy.

I have increased the ingredients for 4 people.

• 4 pork chops
• one small onion finely chopped
• 400g tin chopped tomatoes
• 1 pint of stock or stock cubes – I like beef stock although chicken will do.
• 425g jar of Sharwood’s – Szechuan KUNG PO – Cook in Sauce
• Spaghetti for 4 broken into 1” lengths

 Trim away the rind and excess fat from the chops. Place trimmings in a large frying pan and heat until the fat runs. Then discard the trimmings.

 Season the chops and brown both sides in the hot fat. Add the onions and saute for a further few minutes.

 Stir in the tomatoes plus the liquid from the tin, the jar of Kung Po, and bring to the boil, then simmer for 30mins, uncovered.

 Add the spaghetti and cook gently for a further 15mins covered. The spaghetti soaks up the liquid.

 Check the seasoning and serve hot.

Sime Boiler Review – 10 year Warranty!

 

New Boiler with 10 year Warranty – Sime Murelle

 Well the manufacturers are fighting it out with their warranty periods. 5 years now being the norm rather than the exception. But 10 year warranty! What’s the catch?

Sime have introduced on their ‘Murelle’ range a 10 yr labour and parts warranty, which covers their Combi and System boilers. The boiler quality and price is in the range of existing Worcester and Vailliant boilers. Perhaps not the most prettiest boiler on the market, but inside is quality with a stainless steel heat exchanger, and a detailed fault code display. They have a good selection of controls, clock and timers and flueing options, and they are UK based. But who are they?

Although not as well know in the UK as in Europe, they have been kicking around for some 40 years, and from studying their reputation, good reports are coming back. Not only from review site but also checking out specialist forums, which is good news for you and us. This company is growing fast. So what’s the catch on the 10 year warranty?

The catch, or should I say ‘peace of mind’ is, to ensure that the 10 yr warranty is valid, they have put a number of restrictions, innovations and rules in place, which are rather clever. Not a good sign for the cowboys, the cutting corners brigade and unregistered installers. Good news for us and you the customer though. But you have to play your bit.

The benefits of the Sime Murelle 10 yr warranty are not always apparent at first, but if you consider that the life span of the modern day condensing boiler is now about 10 years, they are covering you for virtually the life of the boiler.

The rules then are:-

The boiler is installed to current regulations and by a registered gas safe engineer. Can’t get round that one because Sime will only sell to registered gas safe installers and the 10yr warranty has too be sent the them, either pre registered by the RGI or registered by them to building control. Clever because they also want the RGI to register with them and they will register the installation for free. RGI incentive. Bye bye cowboy. Wave goodbye as he rides off into the prairie, kicking up a dust storm.

They insist the boiler is correctly flushed and commissioned to the Benchmark Scheme. The Benchmark member scheme is a nationally recognised scheme that places the responsibilities on both manufacturers and installers to ensure best practice in installation, commissioning and servicing of domestic heating in line with Building Regulations in England and Wales. Benchmark requires that installers complete a Benchmark check list, which is provided with the installation instructions, when commissioning a new heating appliance installation. Failure to install and commission according to the manufacturer’s instructions and complete the Benchmark Commissioning Check list will invalidate the warranty for the Gas Boiler installations.

The clever innovation with Sime Murelle range of boilers is having ‘Aquaguard Filter Protection’. All boiler manufacturers recommend the installation of a magnetic filter to protect the boiler and your Central Heating System, but it is not mandatory; unfortunately. The effectiveness of this aquaguard system will only be seen in time, but it is certainly better than no protection at all. Sime must have great faith in it alone to offer a 10 yr warranty. But that’s not all. Should you have a combi boiler and your heating and hot water requirements grow, you don’t have to change your boiler should you wish to have stored hot water.

This last rule is where you take some responsibility. They insist that the boiler is serviced annually and that the benchmark form is completed as proof. Failing this would invalidate the warranty, which you or I would not want, of course.

Additional benefits which you may not have thought of. If you have a 10 yr warranty, and you stick within the rules, which I would agree are fair, then you will have no need to open a separate maintenance contract, for boiler protection and repair. How much is that worth to you over 10 years? Possibly £ 2000.

To sum up. I have been impressed with what I see and what I read. We may be slow in responding to future changes or companies, preferring to stick with what we know, but in the case of Sime, if I am impressed then you should feel confident too. 10 year warranties are not the norm. Will other companies follow suit? I certainly will be recommending their products.

For more details and a installation quote give me a call NOW or email me.

 

Philip Moggridge – Gas Engineer 

Are You Up To A Facebook Challenge?

This could be a modern Sherlock Holmes detective investigation for a long lost artefact going back to the Victorian age, spanning a period, from the 1830’s up to the 1890’s. Unlike the detectives of old, we have the technology to spread our investigation far and wide, and with exceptional speed. So I have a challenge for all you Facebook and Twitters out there around the world, to see how long it takes to trace a long lost artefact made from that era. If your up to the challenge then read on.

Spanning the period I have mentioned above, my ancestors were Gunmakers, also know as Gunsmiths, based in St Pancras, Shoreditch London. I have over a number of years tried to trace an owner of one of the guns they made and sold, but without success.

I am informed by collectors of guns that there is a strong chance they still exist – somewhere in the world. They say that the name of the maker will be embossed on the side of the gun, rifle or perhaps duelling pistols. So here is a bit of background information, clue to the investigation.

James Moggridge Gunmaker 1830 – 1850

John James Moggridge Gunmaker 1841 – 1891 (son of James)

George David Moggridge Gunmaker 1851 – 1891 (son of James)

Business resided at Munster Square, St Pancras, London.

THE CHALLENGE

By the power of the Internet, Facebook, Twitter, Email pass this information onto your friends and family lists, for them to do likewise and see how long it takes to trace. Even if you may not be interested your friends and family maybe, so in the spirit of the challenge I hope you will participate. Obviously if you know any gun collectors or sellers then pass the information onto them.

 I would love to own one of their guns, but even a picture would be a wonderful achievement. If this challenge works who knows what we could do for others. Missing persons, old records, long lost friends, the list is endless.

The Challenge starts now. Any clues can be left as a comment or emailed to me. I’ll give updates for anyone that is interested.

An excited Genealogist

Philip Moggridge

Business Success – Embrace Your Competitors

Your competitors can be your best friends, increase your customer base, and your profits, if only you know how.

I’m a self employed Plumber and Heating engineer and I now employ two engineers in my business. Being self employed, a one-man-band, is all very well in the service industry. Plumbers, Heating Engineers, Electricians, Plasterers, Builders and many many more are all busily beavering away installing, renovating, maintaining and repairing for our customers. Home improvements, home renovations and house maintenance in the domestic market. Although this is no different to the commercial side.

Life couldn’t be better? Or so you may think. You are earning a good wage and there is plenty of work. You have a list of regular customers that are loyal to you, that also recommend your services. You may advertise, have a website, and market your business, but you will undoubtedly have peaks and troughs in demand. What do you do then? There are only so many working hours in the day and week, and even with the best will in the world, you cannot satisfy all your customer demands all of the time. This is one of the many pitfalls of being a one-man-band. You don’t want to ignore your customers and keep putting them off, as they are a valuable source of income, and for referrals. They will go somewhere else if your not careful. In that case you are going to have to spend even more money advertising for business. Then again, you will have time on your hands to do it, as your customer base is being depleted.

What is the answer? You already outsource work to other trades and they in turn outsource to you, covering work that you do not cover yourself. You would love to take on staff to help you, but there just isn’t quite the work to justify that option. Juggling with your customers is the only answer! But there is a radical alternative, which you may not have considered. Your Competition.

If you didn’t have competition in your line of business covering your catchment area, then either the business is either not worth doing in the first place, you have stumbled upon a very niche market (unlikely), or you are a monopoly. I plump for the competitive market place, which seems to be at saturation point, in your business. You can blame everything under the sun, but competition will always be there, so why not embrace it and use it to your advantage.

In the quiet times of your business, you can step back a little and review how you would like your business to progress and develop. Because of the times of heavy demand, you knew in yourself, you could have done better in your customer care, but didn’t know how. Now is the time to set up your contingency plan. Rather than treat your competitors as the enemy treat them as your friend, and they in turn will treat you the same, because it is of benefit to all, in the fight to retain good customer relations and your data base.

You must be mad! Not really because I know it works from experience. It all depends on how you view your competition. In your eyes you may be thinking that they are always doing better than you. They seem to get more customers. In reality they are just the same as you, and they may be thinking just the same. What you have to do is set up a relationship with them. Gain their trust and squash their scepticism. It work like this.

If you are going on holiday or just snowed under with work, your customers that are ringing up, need your services. What if you could ring up a fellow competitor and ask if they are available to do the work. Your customer has been dealt with, your competitor is grateful for the extra work, and you retain the loyalty and trust of your customer. They in turn reciprocate when they are in the same position. This is all done without thoughts of monetary gain, because by doing this simple act, you are less likely to lose that customer.

Start off with picking up a few cards of related trades from your supplies that are usually left on the counter, check out on-line and news ads, for local traders in the same position as you. Start by making contact with them, preferably by phone, but equally you could also email or write to them. This is your first step in starting up a relationship with them as you do with new customers. Give them something for free. Let them know that in busy times you may need their help and would they like the additional work. Tell them, you are not giving away your customers to them, but you would appreciate their support. In turn advise them you would be willing to do the same for them. It works.

Once that relationship is set up and trust is gained you may wish to extend it further with an offer to pass onto them your dead customer base. Not your dead customers but those customers that for some reason or another no longer contacts you for work. They maybe dead meat to you and you find it is not worth the time, effort and money following up with them any more. But for your new network of like minded tradesmen they may welcome this part of your list to promote to themselves. Again do not look for monetary gain, because you could ask them to do the same for you. This works out a lot cheaper than advertising cost, and these list of customers maybe are seeking another firm they wish to deal with.

What ever you do, do not try to pass on all your most difficult customers, jobs that are a pain in the neck, as the relationship will not work. This approach to enhancing your business could significantly increase your customer base and your profits. Just handle it well and you will succeed, after all you are used to talking and dealing with customers. Your competition is no different.

Philip Moggridge 

Free Lotto Number Prediction

For all of you that have not won the Lotto yet, then why not try out my Lotto Number Generator. What have you got to lose? Nothing. You might even win the Lottery this side of Christmas.

Have a go now.

LOTTO NUMBER GENERATOR – HERE

P.S. If you like it please leave a comment and if you win – remember me!

New Boiler Installation – Worcester Warranty Extended

It’s been announced that Worcester are extending their current 5 year extended Warranty, on all new boiler installs, now up to the end of March 2012. As approved installers for Worcester Bosch this is great news, and also, especially for our customers looking to change their boiler over the winter months. We recommend Worcester Boilers for their quality, reliability and excellent aftercare service. It’s been proven to us time and time again with all our new boiler installations over the years.

Back in August of 2010 we installed a Worcester si combi boiler for a customer of ours that lives in Sutton. He is in 90’s now, and still going strong, but like all that generation they do feel the cold. In addition they were not brought up in our digital age, and it’s difficult sometimes to ‘teach old dogs new tricks’. He couldn’t get on with his old manual central heating controls, let alone today’s modern alternatives. We therefore kept things simple. So simple in fact that his total control of his central heating is basically turning his room thermostat up and down as required. I bet there are a lot of people out there doing exactly the same. In his case though I’ve never seen it turned down below 25 deg C!

Yes, he has his new boiler on 24/7 365 days a year. Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Also being a combi boiler it has to cope with his, on demand, hot water requirements as well. This boiler has definitely got its work cut out. I could not see cheaper quality boilers dealing with the work load in this situation. Although I did get a complaint from him last winter.

He told me that his new boiler wasn’t heating the house sufficiently for him and he was putting the gas fire on. Strange I thought. So I popped round to investigate. The boiler was working fine, all the radiators were getting hot. Extremely hot in fact, and the house was reaching the temperature set. After a bit of head scratching, a bit of detective work, and asking questions I traced the problem.

He has a carer that comes in every morning. Apparently she doesn’t like the heat so turns the heating down upon arrival, but forgets to turn it up again when she leaves. He of course starts to feel cold so puts the fire on, until his late afternoon carer arrives. He has a moan at her about being cold so she puts the heating up again. And so the circle went on. Problem now solved – I had a word with the morning carer.

Apart from that call back no other problems exist. The boiler is still steaming its heart out and I expect it to continue for a good number of years, with regular servicing of course.

If your interested in a new boiler installation then please check out my webpage on boiler quotes. I’ll be pleased to meet you.

Philip

for P Moggridge Plumbing Services  

Is Your Radiator Giving You the Cold Shoulder?

When the cold weather bites and we put our central heating on and find one of the radiators are not heating the room, what do you do? Live with it or call your local Plumber? Expenses are high at the moment so calling a heating engineer is out of the question.

But there are things you can check.

Cold Radiator Problems check out my video on youtube, or go to this link and see or check out my free download page.

A Plumbers Christmas Poem

Perhaps we are financial glad
Christmas comes but once a year,
For all you humbugs out there;
It is a time we should all be full of cheer.
So crack open those festive drinks
And raise a glass to the changing moon,
The New Year is on it’s way,
Recession, doom and gloom.

For Christmas I have bought for my sister,
A novelty watch without a tick.
It wasn’t very expensive,
The clock face alone will get on her wick.
I know it is not a very nice gift
as myself I wouldn’t like it
Because of a very small flaw;
It doesn’t have any hands; to-whit.

My other sister is a bit fussy,
And very hard to buy for,
I need something not thought of,
So I decided on a new front door.
She’s already got one I know,
and it’s freshly painted in red.
But this one is different,
It’s made out of lead.

My wife wants for nothing,
But likes to choose,
A handbag or shoes are always a good bet:
I cannot lose.
But this year I wanted to change
And surprise her with something different,
That will make her be pleased with me.
So I decided on aftershave disinfectant!

When it’s cold outside this winter,
It’s great to know our boiler is heating our toes.
But if it breaks down what do we do then?
Thick jumpers, hot food but a bloody cold nose.
It should have been serviced, I know not when
It’s too late now to call the plumber
For it’s Christmas time again;
I wish I had done it in the summer!

My verse or poem may not please all
I confess I’m not the greatest here.
But you cannot say they are not original
In this time of festive cheer.
I’ve done my best to make it rhyme
read with a rhythm of gently strumming.
With a guitar I’m just as bad.
Perhaps I should keep to Plumbing?

Ho ho ho – Merry Christmas to all.

Did you like it?

Philip
Plumber