Page 19 - Town & Around - March 2025

Tel: 01485 540620 email: editor@townandaround.net Town & Around March 2025 19
Humble Hedgehogs
John Maiden

ast year when politicians were preparing for the general election,
I was concerned by the lack of interest shown by candidates in
Lbiodiversity and animal welfare. Post election policies have
shown that my fears were justified. For example, I was horrified to
learn that the cruel and unjustified slaughter of badgers is to continue
for the next five years, for no apparent reason than to please a few dairy
farmers, at a time when more and more consumers are switching away
from milk and dairy products to plant based alternatives.
This February I was shocked to learn that the hunting fraternity still
get round the hunting ban, imposed some 20 years ago, by training
hounds to follow a trail scented with fox urine. No wonder that foxes
are still being torn apart by hounds, which have been taught to chase
and kill foxes from a very early age.
Recently I was sorry for Barry Gardiner MP, the Under Secretary of
State for Biodiversity, Landscape and Rural Affairs. He was a guest
on BBC Newsnight, shortly after the announcement that Heathrow is
to get a third runway by 2050. To justify this controversial decision,
and the watering down of Environmental Impact Assessments in the
planning process, Labour ministers had been implying that economic pellets, which not only destroy potential food supplies, but can be
growth cannot be hindered by concern for bats and newts. Barry directly toxic to hedgehogs and other animals. Hedgehogs can roam
appeared to be very unhappy with this cavalier approach by his over a wide area in search of food, so install a hole measuring
colleagues to endangered species. approximately 13cm X 13cm at the bottom of any fence bordering a
For most people who care about this country's threatened creatures, hedgehog-friendly environment, thereby creating a hedgehog highway.
the best they can do is to make their gardens a safe haven for wildlife. If the wildlife gardener still feels the need to burn piles of garden waste,
In January I was reminded of this fact, when my wife returned from a light the bonfire as soon as it is built, or move it just before it is lit, in
Hunstanton U3A talk by Jan Smith with an excellent leaflet on the case a hedgehog has taken up residence.
humble hedgehog, which I will attempt to summarise, starting with the Ponds are good for wildlife, but not hedgehogs, unless sloping sides
threat to sleeping hedgehogs posed by strimming or mowing. With an make it as easy to get out as it was to fall in! Looking after hedgehogs
increasing number of gardens being rewilded, at least to some extent, properly requires knowledge, skill and experience, so if you find a
there is actually an increasing risk to these nocturnal creatures, which hedgehog that needs help, please don’t try doing it yourself, or just
sleep in long grass or piles of leaves during daylight hours, when a waiting to see how it gets on. A few hours can make all the difference.
strimmer or mower can inflict painful and life-threatening injuries. Three things NOT to feed: Peanuts: hedgehogs have very small
When I asked Jan to give my readers a potted version of her talk, she mouths and peanuts can get stuck behind their teeth, stopping them
came up with the following points, which I have slightly paraphrased. eating and even starting to rot. Sunflower hearts and mealworms: both
A hedgehog-friendly garden is based on their needs for shelter, of these can cause a potentially fatal bone disease. If you feed them to
safety, free movement, food and water. Along with flowers, plant garden birds, please make sure visiting hedgehogs cannot get them.
shrubs and hedges. Include some wild areas with long grass, log piles Depending on their body weight, the length of winter hibernation
and compost heaps. These will provide both food and shelter. Choose can vary, but any hedgehog out in the day is almost always poorly and
native plants and any others that attract insects. Hedgehogs eat around in need of help. Place it in a high-sided box indoors and call
100 insects in a night, from beetles and grubs to worms and 'Hodmedods' Helpline on 07724 005692 or Ryston Rachel's Hedgehog
caterpillars. This is their staple diet. Hotel on 07724 005692. Want to know more about Hedgehogs visit
Avoid garden chemicals, including insecticides, herbicides and slug www.hedgehogstreet.org

This rambling semi-wild garden has over two miles of paths which
The Magic of March meander along streams, bridges and woodland. Primulas, astilbes,
hostas, lysichiton and gunnera grow along the water’s edge. There is
hree large and popular gardens are opening for the National a good display of spring bulbs. A variety of unusual trees and shrubs,
Garden Scheme this month. Why not take the family out and many labelled, have been planted over the years. Wheelchair access
Texplore spring bulbs and the early blossom. Over on the east to most areas via gravel and grass paths. Dogs allowed
side of the county is East Ruston Old Vicarage which appeared on
Gardener’s World last September. Not far from Aylsham is the lovely Sunday 23rd March 11-4
estate of Mannington Hall where you can explore the landscape by Mannington Hall, Mannington, Norwich, NR11 7BB.
taking the dog on a good country walk. Over on the west side of the Adm £8, chd free. Light refreshments in the Garden Tearooms. Home-
county is the private home of Gayton Hall where you can enjoy made locally sourced food.
meandering through a watery landscape. Explore 20 acres of gardens which feature shrubs, lake and trees,
period garden and sensory garden. Extensive countryside walks and
Saturday 15th March 11-5.30 trails from the garden. Wildflowers and birds are a plenty. Wheelchair
East Ruston Old Vicarage, East Ruston, Norwich, NR12 9HN. access via gravel paths with one steep slope. Dogs allowed
Adm £14.50, chd £2. Light refreshments in the restaurant. Before visiting a garden, it is advisable to check the website for Up
32 acres of garden with traditional borders and modern landscapes. To Date information: www.ngs.org.uk
Discover the various types of gardens; walled, vegetable, cutting, rose,
mediterranean and exotic gardens, topiary and box parterres. There are
many water features, a fruit cage and well planted containers. Area of
parkland and heritage orchard. Rare and unusual plants abound. No
Dogs
Saturday 22nd March 11-4
Gayton Hall, Gayton, King’s Lynn, PE32 1PL.
Adm £6, chd free. Tea, coffee & cake. Refreshments in aid of another
charity.