I welcomed the legislation that requires shoppers to pay 5p for a plastic bag if they have forgotten to bring their own.

It makes sense to be doing our bit to save the world from plastic pollution. So when will we get legislation to stop people shoving plastic bags through our doors for every charity under the sun? Especially as many of these collections are organised by commercial organisations that take their cut of the profits before the remainder actually goes to the stated good cause.

Charities often get a bad Press for the way they attempt to collect funds. Cold calling is probably the worst, followed by those pleasant faced young chuggers (charity muggers) who try to get you to sign up to pay a monthly direct debit in the street. They, of course, also get paid on results.

Other niggles include the Christmas cards that arrive unrequested with a Biro and a suggestion you might wish to contribute. No thanks. I never use the cards but, I confess, I do use the pen.

Maria and I make a monthly direct debit to charity, my wife is a part-time volunteer for the local hospice shop which is where any items we wish to donate go and we support local efforts that raise money for charity.

Pubs and clubs everywhere often remain the heart and soul of communities and stage fundraising events and collections that are inevitably well supported. Most people are generous when they can afford to be and give to worthwhile causes. But they prefer to do so of their own volition, rather than being bullied into it by aggressive collectors in the street or shopping centres.

They don’t like being badgered on the phone or by door-to-door canvassers or chuggers. As far as the plastic bags are concerned, I confess I use those, too. To put rubbish in.

They’re cheaper than the ones we usually get from the local bargain shop.