Elderly Fife couple face bitterly cold spell without any fuel

Pair feel they are ‘getting the run around’ from gas supplier

An elderly Fife couple have been left facing the cold snap with rapidly dwindling gas supplies.

Ellen Colingsworth and Roger Mason, Professor of Scottish History at St Andrews University, were due to receive a supply from Calor Gas on Saturday February 24.

However, despite repeated phone calls to the organisation, they were left in the dark about their vital delivery, and their home near Montrave is growing increasing cold.

Last night Calor Gas finally told them it hoped to deliver today.

However, with the snow forecast Ellen, 74, and Roger, 63, fear that may be called off.

Ellen said she and her husband had been “getting the run around” from the firm.

She said the explanation for the nonarrival of the much needed supplies had changed, depending on who was on the other end of the phone.

“They said at first it was their supplies, then we were told staff did not report for work.

“I have been on the phone regularly asking what’s happening, because we need to know.

“I’ve been calling at least two or three times a day.”

With cold weather expected to bite in Fife overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday, the couple were deeply concerned about their wellbeing.

They have a wood stove to give some respite from the gnawing cold but cannot cook a hot meal.

“They are very sorry, but they cannot say when we will get a delivery,” Ellen said. “And it is starting to get cold in the house.”

The couple have been getting supplies for around 10 years from the company and had few issues until the previous delivery which arrived late.

A spokeswoman for Calor Gas apologised and said there had been exceptional circumstances, which started with the shutdown of the Forties pipeline which brings oil from the North Sea to the Scottish mainland.

Then there were issues with some English refineries.

Now there is the cold snap hurtling in all the way from Siberia to the UK’s shores.

“It’s been the perfect storm of problems,” the spokeswoman said.

Calor Gas was trying its best to cope with the high level of demand, including seven day a week deliveries.

But unfortunately the couple were not the only customers waiting for an urgent delivery.

“We have spoken to Mr Mason and are going to call back to schedule a delivery,” the spokeswoman added.

They are very sorry, but they cannot say when we will get a delivery. And it is starting to get cold in the house

Picture: Steven Brown. Ellen Colingsworth and Roger Mason have no gas to cook, heat or produce hot water in their home after their gas supply failed to arrive on Saturday.