Heavy-handed energy marketing in Thame?

Dear Editor

Just before 6pm one evening last week, there was a ring at the door. Through the glass I could see a man’s shape. I opened the door. Behind him, on the path there stood another man. The man who rang the bell was studying a clipboard. Both were festooned in official regalia, some kind of uniform with orange, high visibility slashes. The effect was intimidating. They weren’t police but there was something of the State about their image. They checked my name. Something incomprehensible followed but the leader of the two was making some kind of enquiry about power supplies to my house. I’ve had the same suppliers for years. I’m quite happy with them. I said as much. The caller began to develop his comments. He was very close to the front door. Not threatening but too close for my comfort. I recalled a similar visit from another individual some years ago – something about gas that time, I think. I told that caller too that I was happy with my energy supplier. Tonight I cut the exchanges short, politely I hope, but if I had been even older than I am and if I had been on my own, the sight of two near paramilitary figures on my doorstep, questioning me, conveying an undefined impression that there might be something wrong – for that was the impression – would have frightened me a lot. I always have some sympathy for cold callers, however they come, for they are only trying to earn a living. But whoever prescribed this particular procedure should think seriously of the effect on the person visited. I won’t name the firm. It does exist, I discovered. I don’t want to get into any arguments with it. But they will know who they are.

Yours sincerely

Norman Brand