122-year-old gas firm closes doors

It was the end of an era spanning 122 years when in March 1949, the Stirling Gas Light Company held its annual meeting.

Shareholders gathered to hear the chairman Mr JF Millar deliver the company’s last annual report before it was absorbed into the new nationalised energy company due to come into being at the beginning of April 1949.

A year earlier, the post-war Labour Government under

Prime Minister Clement Attlee had introduced legislation nationalising the gas industry in the United Kingdom.

A total of 1062 privately owned and municipal gas companies were merged into 12 area gas boards, each a separate body with its own management structure.

Mr Millar told how the Stirling Gas Light Company was formed on June 14, 1825, following a meeting of Stirling businessmen. As a result, on November 27, 1826, Stirling was lit by coal gas lamps for the first time.

By 1845, the sale of gas had reached 4.5 million cubic feet but then, owning to dissatisfaction over price, some members of the public formed a rival company to serve St Ninians, Bannockburn and outlying districts.

However, the two companies later joined and in 1896 the merged firm was the target of a takeover by Stirling Town Council, prompting `considerable local discussion’ and a period known as the ‘gas fight’.

The company successfully opposed the action and in order to safeguard its interests promoted a bill in Parliament to protect its interests .

Mr Millar added: “This public utility undertaking has carried out its obligations to the residents of Stirling and district for 122 years, providing an ample and unfailing supply of gas at prices comparable with those operating at the largest undertakings in Scotland.

“The gasworks and distribution system has been maintained in first class condition and modern plant installed when necessary to preserve efficiency.’

Mr Millar said the company had recently laid new medium pressure mains from the gasworks to Raploch and Kerse Road while a `boost plant’ was at that time being built to serve Bridge of Allan. Customer numbers had reached 11,000.

After thanking employees past and present, Mr Millar added: “It is to be hoped that out successors will continue to give the public in our area of supply the excellent service we have been accustomed to, which includes an unfailing ample supply of gas at a reasonable price.”