Well folks. Who was it said that the State takes too much of our money and does not give us enough of it back? (Me)

Yesterday, two men came around and put me another layer of insulation throughout my loft.

It was free to me. Thank you all for your contribution to my free insulation.

Peter Wells:

It was free to me. Thank you all for your contribution to my free insulation.

You won't be needing that winter fuel payment now, quid pro quo and all that.

scott666:

You won't be needing that winter fuel payment now

Ah! well spotted. I shall however keep my winter fuel payment and the £10 one off payment for something or other.

I am quite unashameably taking that to which I am entitled. After all I have been paying tax and still am for every one of the past 57 years, even during the 2 years when her Majesty insisted that I attend her interests in Aden and East Africa.

However, I do not feel that I have to justify my largesse from the public purse, as to my mind they have to justify taking money from me.

Just in case there are any people less fortunate than am I out there, (and I have many times acknowledged my own good fortune) but just in case some people find my approach to government handouts objectionable, do please bear in mind that many people, including me, take a generous view towards charitable causes and consider that good-outcomes can be more effectively acheived through private giving, rather than public redistribution.

 PW, Take everything to which you are entitled. As you said, you have paid for it over the last 57 years, which is a lot more than many others can claim. My wife and I received our £10 Christmas presents last week, but we do not receive any of the other benefits that UK based OAPs receive. 

scott666:

You won't be needing that winter fuel payment now, quid pro quo and all that.

Peter, I don't think you need to be so defensive, I'm sure scott666 was only pulling your leg. I do find it difficult sometimes on this forum to get accross that a comment I make is 'tongue in cheek' and also sometimes struggle to decifer if other peoples comments are made in jest or not. It's a fine line between friendly banter and causing offence sometimes.

 In any case, having paid tax for 57 yrs I don't think anyone can begrudge you a bit of lagging !

I say get what you can,youve earnt it!

On the news today they were talking about the raise in unemployment. The unemployment benifit paid out every year costs every household in the UK

around £6500

Certainly makes you think how long it can keep going on like this

Peter Wells:

Yesterday, two men came around and put me another layer of insulation throughout my loft

How do you go about getting it peter

 w'n'w, Are you suggesting that PW is an old lag? Some people could take offence at that you know.

old mcdonald:

w'n'w, Are you suggesting that PW is an old lag?

Not sure what an old lag is old mac, but I'm pretty sure PW isn't one !

welshnwilling:

Peter, I don't think you need to be so defensive, I'm sure scott666 was only pulling your leg.

Actually I didn't take it in any other than a jocular way. I really don't feel I need to defend my acceptance of taxpayers largesse. However, thanks for thinking kindly enough of me that you want to reassure me that the intentions of other writers were well meant. (How about that as a bit of tortuous reasoning?)

henarar:

How do you go about getting it peter

actually a telephone call from Exenergy  from Rassau. Ebbw Vale. NP23 5SD. (I will give the phone number to interested readers) It appears that you can qualify for free insulation, and solar panels by virtue of social welfare payments or age. I qualified on one only of the two categories and I will leave you to guess.

The insulation was installed in 40 minutes by two lads from Cardiff and, as the insulation fibre is also made in Wales in Cymbran, I am doing my  bit to keep a welcome in the valleys.