A RETIRED joiner has started his own cottage industry of making bird boxes for charity after growing tired of sitting around with nothing to do.
Ken Jordan was in his garden in Barnard Castle one day in the summer when he decided to put his skills to good use.
He has now made about 30 bird boxes, raising £220 so far for Marie Curie Cancer Care.
The 73-year-old said: “I was sat outside with nothing to do so I had a word with a builder who was making a bungalow and asked if he had any off-cut timber. I cobbled my first bird boxes together. They did the job and I used the money to buy more materials.
“They are starting to call me the ‘bird man of Barney’. It’s for a good cause and it keeps my mind active.”
Mr Jordan, who has lived in the town for 30 years, charges a minimum of £5 for the smaller boxes, although buyers can choose how much to give for them. Table stands cost £30.
They are being sold from his home at 5 Watson Court and in This ‘n’ That, in the town centre.
Mr Jordan, who uses a scooter to get around, tries to do as much work as possible while sitting down because he has a bad knee.
He says he has always been good with his hands and was encouraged by his woodwork teacher at school in Middlesbrough to make a career out of it.
Mr Jordan said: “I walked the streets in Middlesbrough to get an apprenticeship at a building company and later set up my own business.”
His charity efforts have also been helped by John Moore, a Freemason, who arranged a £50 starter grant from the Strathmore Freemasons.
Mr Moore said :”As a wheelchair bound pensioner this is an astonishing effort driven from the heart for the benefit of others. God bless you Ken.”
However, Mr Jordan sold most of his equipment when he retired.
“My chop saw only cuts four inches and I really need a mitre saw, or something like that,” he explained.
If anyone can help or wants to buy one of the bird tables, call Ken Jordan on 07748 615360.
