'Save me from dying of boredom!' Pensioner is back looking for work after retiring
FOR many pensioners, retirement means hours on the golf course and weeks away on holiday.
A pensioner has put a notice in his local Herald Express newspaper advertising his services
But for former soldier Joe Bartley not having a job means hours of boredom, so at the grand age of 89 he is back looking for work.
The widower, from Paignton, Devon, has put a notice in his local Herald Express newspaper advertising his services.
It reads: "Senior citizen 89 seeks employment in Paignton area. 20hrs+ per week. Still able to clean, light gardening, DIY and anything.
"I have references. Old soldier, airborne services. Save me from dying of boredom!"
The active pensioner, a former member of the Airborne Forces who served with the Army in Palestine just after WWII, only retired from his last job when he was 83.
Joe Bartley's wife died two years ago
He said: "I was a signwriter by trade and have always been an active man. I'm still active now.
"My wife died two years ago and I am not a television person. I like reading but you can't do that all the time and it has been like I have been living in solitary confinement.
The 89-year-old only retired from his last job when he was 83
My wife died two years ago and I am not a television person
"I just want to get a job for five hours a day - to earn enough to pay the rent. I'm on housing benefit but I would much rather work and pay my own way which I have done my whole life. I am old fashioned like that.
"I would feel more like Joe - now I don't feel like Joe because I've got to depend on the council for rent and everything else.
When he was 70, he started a part-time cleaning job at a college
"When you're working, you're more or less self-contained. I don't know how to explain it any better really, you feel more individual and you're meeting people and making friends.
"My wife died two years ago and and I can't get used to living on my own and doing nothing. I am so fed up of being stuck with nothing to do.
The active pensioner served with the Army in Palestine just after WWII
"I am still very capable of doing light menial work. I want a purpose to go out and the pride of having a job to go to five or six days a week."
This is not the first time the veteran has come out of retirement.
At the grand age of 89 Mr Bartley is back looking for work
When he was 70, he started a part-time cleaning job at a college, a position he held for 13 years before giving it up at the age of 83 to move to Torbay when his wife was ill so she could be nearer her family.
He said: "I have only got a step family and when my wife died two years ago I had to move into a flat.
"I'm now seeking employment to save me from the boredom of living in my flat on my own.
"I am still active but when I come back to the flat I have nothing to do. I certainly can't watch television all day."
The pensioner said he can’t get used to living on his own and doing nothing
The odds are Mr Bartley will not be unemployed or long. There has been a positive reaction to his advert from local businesses, many of whom tweeted their support.
Cantina Kitchen and Bar tweeted: "I love this, we could keep him gainfully employed", while Grey Cars Coaches tweeted: "If our depot was closer, I'd give him a job."