Happy list

This weekend the Times published a Rich List, and the Independent published a Happy List - which is a lot more relevant to most of us. It consists of 100 people who make Britain a better and a happier place to live - and makes cheerful reading. It includes Britain's oldest man and the inventor of the wind-up radio, as well as founders of charities -- and artists, who fall into the "pleasure" category.
In its "Happy facts", the Independent says: "Giving to charity not only assists others, it also helps you to feel better about yourself, research has found. A Canadian study of how people spent their company bonuses, published in 'Science' magazine, reported that those who gave some or all of it to charity or to others had greater feelings of well-being than those who spent it on themselves."

Britain is known for its volunteer culture. "Some 27% of Britons regularly volunteer with a formal organisation, charity or local group. According to data published by the Institute for Volunteering Research, the causes that benefit most are: education – schools, colleges, universities (31%); religion (24%); and sports, exercise or "health and disability" (both 22%). The institute adds: "The largest proportions of activities were: 'raising, handling money' (65%) and 'organising, helping run an event' (50%)." The most active regular volunteers are 16- to 24-year-olds (43%), followed by 55- to 64-year-olds (42%), and the over-65s (41%). Women are more likely to volunteer than men."

And if you're wondering about the picture, the tulip is called "Happy Hour".