Some more observations on Canal Boat Diaries

[Derek R.]

8 hours ago, LadyG said:

You object to paying for a TV licence? Carrying parsimony too far imho.

I must admit that currently i don't have the trust in BBC news that I once had, but the media play an importsnt role, keeping world news rollng 24/7.

BBC have a worldwide network of correspondents that would be hard to replicate. It costs a lot to run.

I dont have to pay for my licence of course, but then I rarely watch it, however I think its essential to have access

The BBC are the 'loud hailer' of the government in so many ways. They were the bastion of NEWS at one time, but no longer. They have been found to harbour certain characters of ill repute, their statue over the main entrance to Broadcasting House reflects this.

 

But more importantly, their standing in the public eye has been exposed for what it currently is - Biased, and when not biased, it fails to report resulting in lies by ommission. But that may be just an opinion. I will not spend money on a 'licence fee' that neither represents or reports the world as it is, nor supplies even some of the excellent comedy series in 'repeats' that today's world would cry 'shame; disgusting; discrimination!' Therefore, I choose not to contribute - because I do not need to. I can watch the 'Two Ronnies', Alf Garnett and the like, elsewhere without forking out an extortionate fee, to which I object.

 

The young man in question and his 'Canal Boat Diaries' can be viewed on You Tube. Or may be purchased from his website at a little over £30. I'll stick to the historic books lined up on my shelves, but thank you for the comment.

12 hours ago, pearley said:

It only requires you to say you have a licence. They don't actually check.

I reject 'their rules', as I reject their demands for obtaining a 'licence'. Entering false information is opening one up to possible investigation and possible prosecution. As I neither want or need one, I will not give them that opportunity. The infamous 'detector vans' were a scam, but the database held is periodically run through a computer, and 'letters' sent at two year periods. I have had any number, some were returned with an explanation as to why I did not need one, some get burnt.

[Morris]

16 minutes ago, Derek R. said:

The BBC are the 'loud hailer' of the government in so many ways. They were the bastion of NEWS at one time, but no longer. They have been found to harbour certain characters of ill repute, their statue over the main entrance to Broadcasting House reflects this.

 

But more importantly, their standing in the public eye has been exposed for what it currently is - Biased, and when not biased, it fails to report resulting in lies by ommission. But that may be just an opinion. I will not spend money on a 'licence fee' that neither represents or reports the world as it is, nor supplies even some of the excellent comedy series in 'repeats' that today's world would cry 'shame; disgusting; discrimination!' Therefore, I choose not to contribute - because I do not need to. I can watch the 'Two Ronnies', Alf Garnett and the like, elsewhere without forking out an extortionate fee, to which I object.

 

The young man in question and his 'Canal Boat Diaries' can be viewed on You Tube. Or may be purchased from his website at a little over £30. I'll stick to the historic books lined up on my shelves, but thank you for the comment.

I reject 'their rules', as I reject their demands for obtaining a 'licence'. Entering false information is opening one up to possible investigation and possible prosecution. As I neither want or need one, I will not give them that opportunity. The infamous 'detector vans' were a scam, but the database held is periodically run through a computer, and 'letters' sent at two year periods. I have had any number, some were returned with an explanation as to why I did not need one, some get burnt.

 

Is there any way I can give this post multiple likes/greenies?? Good one bringing up the statue! I keep that nugget in my back pocket for the church of bbc types. Just a shame that he also taints those gorgeous old lner posters. 

[Arthur Marshall]

41 minutes ago, Derek R. said:

he BBC are the 'loud hailer' of the government in so many ways. They were the bastion of NEWS at one time, but no longer. They have been found to harbour certain characters of ill repute, their statue over the main entrance to Broadcasting House reflects this.

No doubt this forum harbours a few characters of ill repute - or at least that you disagree with, which usually comes to the same thing, as does the pub you go to and most assuredly your local church, and every other news source you favour.

Short of locking yourself in a cupboard, you can't avoid the buggers. The BBC is at least less biassed than any other source as can be seen by it being attacked constantly by both lefties and rightwingers.

The only thing, I'm afraid, left for you is total ignorance amid the sweet sound of birdsong in your woodland glade. Unfortunately, you'll never know the chainsaws are coming...

[ditchcrawler]

9 hours ago, LadyG said:

 

I dont have to pay for my licence of course, but then I rarely watch it, however I think its essential to have access

Why not?

[Derek R.]

8 minutes ago, Arthur Marshall said:

(snipped)

The only thing, I'm afraid, left for you is total ignorance amid the sweet sound of birdsong in your woodland glade. Unfortunately, you'll never know the chainsaws are coming...

 

Birdsong is heard, as are chainsaws (one being my own!). And as the 'estate' has regular clay pigeon shoots - shotguns a plenty, though I do not own any gun (save a rivet gun!), and my landlord has a collection of vintage tractors which come out for an airing now and then. But ignorance? No. There are a plethora of alternative channels to peruse, though one has to be very selective.

[Tony Brooks]

2 hours ago, ditchcrawler said:

Why not?

I wondered that as well.

[haggis]

12 minutes ago, Tony Brooks said:

I wondered that as well.

Me too! Lady G has said she is in her 70s so doesn't qualify for the over 80s discount, if it still exists. I think we would like to know how Lady G doesn't have to pay for a licence then we could perhaps benefit too. 

[Heartland]

With regard to-

 

Posted yesterday at 10:40

I hadn't realised boating in the 2000s required one to be engrossed by history.

 

Some of us have an interest, but many do not.

 

The forum serves a wide audience, but the reason for the post was make an observation about correct history and not to accept false interpretations

 

Understanding canal history is a help to some, at least those who are interested

 

With regards to the original Dudley Canal and the extension through Dudley Tunnel, I have recently produced some notes on water supply to this waterway including the aqueduct at the Ox Leasowes and Castle Mill Reservoir

 

 

 

 

 

Posted yesterday at 10:40

I

 

 

[Ianws]

55 minutes ago, haggis said:

Me too! Lady G has said she is in her 70s so doesn't qualify for the over 80s discount, if it still exists. I think we would like to know how Lady G doesn't have to pay for a licence then we could perhaps benefit too. 

Under the latest rules you have to be 75 or older and receiving pension credit, or someone at your address does.

[haggis]

4 minutes ago, Ianws said:

Under the latest rules you have to be 75 or older and receiving pension credit, or someone at your address does.

Thank you. I qualify on age but not pension credit 🙂 

[ditchcrawler]

2 hours ago, haggis said:

Thank you. I qualify on age but not pension credit 🙂 

Like several of us.

[Derek R.]

Pension Credit: I do not qualify, though I draw state pension at 77yrs of age. And despite government statements (from various MP's) that pensioners get between £11,000 to £13,500pa, having paid in fully all my life (with a smidging extra per week for having been in the building trad for a year or so, I think it's boosted by £7 per week), my annual state pension is £9,750. So where's the extra going? Because I'm not seeing it.

 

But pension credit; It's not just age. they take into account all income. and if you have savings over £10,000, then for each £500 over £10k, a deemed income of £1 per week is added which can add up. Coupled to which, I am now kissing goodbye to Winter Fuel payment. It was only a fraction of the real winter fuel costs, but it did help out.

[LadyG]

8 hours ago, ditchcrawler said:

Why not?

Age.

I believe there are other factors / categories.

When iPlayer started one did not need a licence, but that changed.

Edited September 25, 2024 by LadyG

[Tony Brooks]

33 minutes ago, LadyG said:

Age.

I believe there are other factors / categories.

When iPlayer started one did not need a licence, but that changed.

 

But as far as I am aware, age alone is no longer the sole qualification for entitlement to a free licence, as Ianws says.

[ditchcrawler]

2 hours ago, Tony Brooks said:

 

But as far as I am aware, age alone is no longer the sole qualification for entitlement to a free licence, as Ianws says.

Correct or I would have one .

3 hours ago, LadyG said:

 

When iPlayer started one did not need a licence, but that changed.

But you do now.

[LadyG]

8 hours ago, haggis said:

Me too! Lady G has said she is in her 70s so doesn't qualify for the over 80s discount, if it still exists. I think we would like to know how Lady G doesn't have to pay for a licence then we could perhaps benefit too. 

Well my address has a licence, that apart, , I don't actually watch BBC, but that does not mean I am unaware of what is going on.. I listen to the radio, which is free, and also some channel on Youtube which is no friend of the BeeB.

20 minutes ago, ditchcrawler said:

Correct or I would have one .

But you do now.

I've stopp3d watching it.....

Edited September 25, 2024 by LadyG

[LadyG]

10 hours ago, haggis said:

Me too! Lady G has said she is in her 70s so doesn't qualify for the over 80s discount, if it still exists. I think we would like to know how Lady G doesn't have to pay for a licence then we could perhaps benefit too. 

Ive recently had another birthday btw, I think the Govt.UK website  is quite clear, but anyway, I just don't watch it.

Edited September 25, 2024 by LadyG

[ditchcrawler]

29 minutes ago, LadyG said:

Ive recently had another birthday btw, I think the Govt.UK website  is quite clear, but anyway, I just don't watch it.

So really the reason you don't have a licence is because you don't watch TV, have I got that right?

[Ianws]

43 minutes ago, LadyG said:

Ive recently had another birthday btw, I think the Govt.UK website  is quite clear, but anyway, I just don't watch it.

Just earlier you said "but then I rarely watch it, however I think its essential to have access"

 So that's don't watch it,  rarely watch it and access it when essential. 

Any of these require a licence, paid for or free, if you qualify. 

[LadyG]

I dont need a licence if I'm watching a TV in a location that does have a licence, though probably I should watch on their device, and not on mine.

There are quite a few technicalities in place for businesses.

 

Edited September 25, 2024 by LadyG

[Lady M]

To buy a licence, one needs a postcode.

[Derek R.]

8 hours ago, Ianws said:

Just earlier you said "but then I rarely watch it, however I think its essential to have access"

 So that's don't watch it,  rarely watch it and access it when essential. 

Any of these require a licence, paid for or free, if you qualify. 

Apart from the age qualification and that of any 'support/benefits' received, a licence is only needed when watching live broadcasts from BBC; ITV; or any other channel - if LIVE, or BBCi player.

No need for a 'Spanish Inquisition' on here.

Gov. details here: https://www.gov.uk/find-licences/tv-licence

Alternative details here: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/broadband-and-tv/tv-licence/

 

There some anomalies between the above links:

People in hotels (according to Gov.) do not need individual licences in their rooms if no more than 15 rooms are involved.

Martin Lewis's Moneysaving website with regard to his 'section 8', and which relates to students, does get a little complicated.

 

If you do not watch ANY live broadcasts from any channel, you do not need a licence. If you are watching a recorded broadcast which was live 5 minutes ago - you do not need a licence to watch the recorded version.

 

With the available alternative news channels; blogs and whatever, there is ample opportunity to be kept up to date on the morass of information being broadcast and recorded around the world, without it turning into a dogs dinner. There are many choices.

[MrsM]

3 minutes ago, Derek R. said:

Apart from the age qualification and that of any 'support/benefits' received, a licence is only needed when watching live broadcasts from BBC; ITV; or any other channel - if LIVE, or BBCi player.

No need for a 'Spanish Inquisition' on here.

Gov. details here: https://www.gov.uk/find-licences/tv-licence

Alternative details here: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/broadband-and-tv/tv-licence/

 

There some anomalies between the above links:

People in hotels (according to Gov.) do not need individual licences in their rooms if no more than 15 rooms are involved.

Martin Lewis's Moneysaving website with regard to his 'section 8', and which relates to students, does get a little complicated.

 

If you do not watch ANY live broadcasts from any channel, you do not need a licence. If you are watching a recorded broadcast which was live 5 minutes ago - you do not need a licence to watch the recorded version.

 

With the available alternative news channels; blogs and whatever, there is ample opportunity to be kept up to date on the morass of information being broadcast and recorded around the world, without it turning into a dogs dinner. There are many choices.

I think that used to be the case, but isn't any longer 

 

From the TV licence website (https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one)

 

"Make sure you're legally covered

A TV Licence covers you to:

• Watch or record TV on any channel on any TV service (like Sky, Virgin Media and Freeview).
• Watch live on streaming services (like ITVX, All 4, YouTube and Amazon Prime Video).
• Use BBC iPlayer*

This applies to any device, including a TV, computer, laptop, phone, tablet, games console or digital box.

Buy a licenceRenew now

If you’re not watching, streaming or recording TV in any of the above ways –
or your property is empty – please let us know.

*A licence is not needed to watch S4C programmes on demand."

 

 

[Derek R.]

It's described in the links. Anything on bbci player needs a licence.

[MrsM]

What can I watch without a TV Licence?

If you don't have a TV Licence, you can watch:

• Catch up programmes on services other than BBC iPlayer, such as ITVX, All4 and My5
• On demand films or TV shows that you watch, rent or buy online from providers like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Sky, BT TV, Sky, Apple TV+, Disney+ or Now
• SC4 programmes on demand
• DVDs or Blu-rays
• YouTube videos or clips that aren't live

(Ref: https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/what-can-i-watch-without-a-tv-licence)