TV licensing

I have made a donation to the BBC on the order of 130 gbp, or about C$300.

They have a TV licensing thing here, whereby you have to have a license to own a TV, and renew it annually. Yes, really, it's not just some sort of dubious scam to filch pounds from the pockets of hardworking London taxpayers. It goes towards funding the BBC, to bring us quality programming such as The 10 o'clock News, Six Nations Rugby, Top Gear and Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps.

They have "detector vans" that search for people who haven't paid their license, using rotating antennae. I knew about this, but I had assumed that the landlords had paid the license already, since the TV came with the flat. When I got back this afternoon, there was a letter in the post saying they hadn't, and detailing the subsequent court proceedings and substantial fine if I don't pay it quite promptly thank you very much. However, I'm perfectly happy paying the fee, so long as I can take the license with me when I leave at the end of June: I rang them up and paid it, and they say all I have to do is ring them up three weeks prior, and they'll refund the balance.

Anyway I find the whole thing quite amusing I must say, although I find a lot of things amusing lately. :)

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!