There was a short piece in the last issue of Consumer News about a chocolate fudge cake, where I stated that it was the first commercially made cake to be acceptable to allergy sufferers. One avid reader has suggested that Mrs Crimbles Dutch Fruit Loaf (made by Stiletto Foods in West London) which contains no wheat flour, eggs or animal fat might also be of interest to allergy sufferers.
Barrs lm-Bru is one hundred years young. But what is it? Well, the recipe remains a closely-guarded secret, but this soft drink clearly appeals to the Scottish palate, though it tastes like nothing else in the world, according to the newsletter of The British Brands Group. There is now a marketing campaign to make it more popular south of the border which seems to be working as lm-Bru sales in England have increased and now account for a quarter of production. So if you want to find out what a drink that tastes like nothing else in the world actually tastes like, look out for the distinctive orange and blue can among the colas and other soft drinks on the shop shelves.
An article in the Business Times of 27th August about Seeboard, the south of England electricity supplier, revealed that it is owned by American Electric Power which has abandoned plans to sell it off for £1.5 billion because of tax implications. Disappointed prospective purchasers include Electricite de France which already owns London Electricity and the supply business of SWEB. The article mentions E.ON, a German company which owns PowerGen. An unlikely-sounding amalgam, but still British, also interested in buying Seeboard is Scottish and Southern Energy, which is a partnership between Scottish Hydro-Electric and Southern Electric. The Italian company Enel could, according to this article, also be interested in Seeboard. It has been making overtures to Scottish Power to buy Southern Water from them. You understand the picture now, dont you!
The CPI has several ongoing activities underway, about which I hope we shall learn in due course. The one most likely to reach completion first is an investigation into the relationships between customers and corporations. Now that will be interesting!
East Midlands Airport (EMA) has a quarterly news magazine Flightscene, the Autumn issue of which contained a short paragraph concerning the retirement of NfCG Vice President Cynthia McDowall from the Chair of the Airport's Consultative Forum. The new Chairman, Councillor Barry Whyman, is pictured below presenting her with a fine rose bowl in recognition of her work with the Forum. John Spooner, the former Managing Director of EMA is quoted as saying "during the two years in which Mrs. McDowall chaired the forum there were significant improvements in the way the Airport consults with the local community". What is more the magazine, unlike Consumer News in the past, managed to spell her name correctly.
Despite various accreditation schemes, word-of-mouth remains the best way to find a reliable builder. I heard about a builder in Pimlico, central London, who has worked in the same road for six years as word has spread about the firm's good workmanship and reliability. Also people could inspect the handywork. Maybe you are new to the area or do not know anyone who has had a satisfactory experience with a builder. Look round your area and knock on the door of any house where it is obvious that builders are at work and ask if they are any good (though perhaps not when they are on the premises). Most people seem happy to talk, either to praise or warn you not to touch them with a barge pole (which is quite long).
There is now another way. I have learned about a website, improveline.com, which has set up what they call a quality-ranked directory of architects, builders, roofers, decorators, plumbers, electricians and so on. You type in what you are looking for, a decorator perhaps, and your postcode and a list appears on the screen. You then have to send an e-mail to find out more about each firm, including other customers' feedback, which must be a very valuable piece of information. Interested contractors should then get in touch with you. It is said that quotations are on the high side but, as with most things, you have to pay for quality, though not having firsthand knowledge of the firms, I remain unconvinced. The website is convincing though.
We are fortunate that a number of people contribute to Consumer News and agencies such as the FSA, the OFT and the FSA as well as commercial concerns such as BIRDS EYE, send press releases. Nevertheless new contributors and letter writers are always needed. Please send me your bons mots concerning anything related to consumers, news, views, problems and suggestions. Write or send a floppy disk to No. 6 Priory Gardens, Dartford DA1 2BE, phone or fax 01322 280673 or e-mail editor@ncf.info The next issue will appear in January so please send your contributions by the beginning of December.
National Consumer Federation, Centre for Consumer Law Research, Brunel University, Uxbridge UB8 3PH Phone 01895 203 069 Fax 01895 203 085 E-mail office@ncf.info Website: http://www.ncf.info
COPYRIGHT The material contained in Consumer News may only be reproduced by federated Groups unless otherwise indicated. The articles do not necessarily represent the views of the National Consumer Federation, its Groups or its members. © 2001 NCF Consumer News is printed on 100% post consumer, recycled paper by Geoff Morbin Litho, Calidus House, Alder Road, Sidcup, Kent.
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