There's a project in the city centre that helps the homeless.  I donate to them, not to individual beggars.

I have volunteered in one for over 10 years. Some people really do use us rather than their dustbin.  Some really manky, smelly clothes; chipped, cracked odd bits of china; broken electrical items (we don't sell electrical items); jigsaws with pieces missing; broken toys; opened and part used cosmetics are just some examples. 

Never seen any with puppies but some do have dogs. Whether that is for company, protection or sympathy I can't say. I don't carry cash so unless they take card, which must surely be coming, they are out of luck with me.

My local ones were all victims of the pandemic. There are still some in other parts of the town. 

😁😁😁

We have perhaps discussed this before,  but what are your feelings about these people who sit hunched up on the pavement outside shops and supermarkets?

Do you give them food, or money perhaps,  or do you usually walk past?

I used to sometimes give them a snack, like a pastie, or sandwich perhaps,  or even a bit of loose change,  but I don't anymore.
I can't help but notice how most of these people always have enough money for their fags and mobile phones!

Recently there was a new thing to worry about though.   Puppies.   Yes a 'bull-breed'   puppy that looked barely 6 weeks old,  being held by a man sitting on the pavement   -  in the heat we've had!

I couldn't stop thinking about it.   Was it nicked?  Was he trying to flog it?  Or was it being used to entice more people to stop and give him money?
It looked like it should still be with its mother and litter mates.   How was he going to feed it all day? Was it bottle fed?
I didn't even see a bowl of water,  even if it could lap for itself.

Then,  even worse,  a gobby woman with a voice I could have heard from the next street,  came along and sat down next to him - and guess what?   She also had what looked like a litter mate of the bloke's puppy,  all wrapped up in a thick blanket,  in this warm weather.   I would be surprised if it didn't get heat stroke before the day was out.
I have thought about it ever since.  Quite a few other people were talking about it too.

The BBC is supposed to have talked to 50 different charity shops,  and more than half of the staff feel their shops  are being used as an alternative to the local tip now.

They  said they have to sift through bags that have been left outside overnight in the rain, clothes with armpit sweat stains, damp clothes, and even sometimes,  dirty nappies!

One assistant manager is quoted as saying - "Many people now use charity shops as an alternative to landfill.
A friend of mine works in a local charity shop, I'll have to ask her if she find the same or not.

Don't think I would fancy sorting through bags of other people's dirty clothes,  would you?
In fact I might also wonder now,  what else might have been in the bad with something I quite liked.
I have occasionally bought bits of china or a pretty vase though

Do you ever browse round the charity shops in your area?

The cretinati were screaming out for the killing of young men and women .
That is why the this topic was titled Extremist Rally
But let's not dwell on 'nasty fings ' to parapase that other idiot Dawn French let's swoon over old Rod.

Quote from: Ruthio on July 02, 2025, 10:00:11 AMRubbish you old farts, you old miseries! He was great! 😆

I thought so too, he can still belt it out & his voice has hardly changed over the years.

Quote from: Mups on Yesterday at 02:29:29 PMIs this all a waste of the £16.9 million it cost the NHS last year for this drug,  or are they entitled to it do you think? 

Hmm, that's a hard one.