Hands up

 I do think that there is something rather satisfying about volunteering. It makes one feel part of a community and puts something back as well.

Some volunteering is done because the local council is simply spending too much money on diversity officers and training as well as gold plated pensions.

Often the volunteering relates to an interest and may help support a local club by drastically reducing any cost.

However someone volunteers, I genuinely believe that not only does it help mental wellbeing but also physically. 

Feathered friends

 We have always fed the birds during winter when their food is scarce.

Loose seeds/suet etc. is not so good as it attracted wood pigeons, grey squirrels and probably other unwelcome vermin.

We tried a block of suet/seeds and grains in a special metal holder. That was okay but we think we have found the best and most popular idea - it is a half coconut packed with suet/fat/seeds/ etc.

Cheap to buy and it attracts the local blue tits, great tits and robins and because of its location on a bendy branch there is no chance for the larger birds to gobble it all, nor any possible rodents. I don't think that the grey squirrel has bothered either. So all in all a great success.