Help a Hedgehog Hospital needs your support

By local artist Russ

The Help a Hedgehog Hospital based in Brimscombe is doing wonderfully well.  They have managed to increase the population of hedgehogs in and around Gloucestershire substantially, infact so much so that they had the busiest Summer ever with over 95 orphan hoglets going into them. 

They are working on a google map at present and have successfully started new populations at Brimscombe, Thrupp, Lyppiat, Rodborough, Forest Green, Nailsworth, Kings Stanley and Selsey. Annie Parfitt, founder writes in an email: "It is so exciting by releasing non sibling pairs in a box many have gone on to rear their own young this year."

As folk will know many local people here in Randwick and Ruscombe have played their part....well now the hospital needs our help - would you consider becoming a member of the Hospital. For £15 a year you can become a member, £12.50 for OAPs -  a great Christmas present for someone?

You will receive:
A hedgehog membership badge
A copy of the current 3H newsletter (produced quarterly) with news from the hospital, seasonal tips and information on Hedgehogs and hedgehog care.

Or would you consider buying their calendar, £6.50 as a Christmas present - the calendar has been sponsored by businesses so each calendar means that money can go straight to the hedgehog for food and vets bills.  They also sell lovely Christmas cards sponsored as well. See more on their website: http://www.helpahedgehog.org/ Also click on the 'Hedgehogs' tag to see more.

Brimscombe's Help a Hedgehog Hospital: 3 min film

Selsey Common

Tonight is District Council AGM and may well be very interesting as the Conservatives no longer hold a majority. More of that after the meeting...

Here is a short film about the Help a Hedgehog Hospital who had a stall at the Wap on Saturday.
http://stroudcommunity.tv/help-a-hedgehog-hospital-brimscombe-randwick-wap/

The main film of the Wap that I made has now had over 100 views and lots of very positive comments:
http://stroudcommunity.tv/randwick-wap-2012/

New Hedgehog warden in Randwick

The news is that I will now retire from being Randwick's Hedgehog warden. It was only a temporary position while we sought a real warden. Now we have one who already has three hogs that she is looking after!

Photo: Photoshop from Russ - it made me smile as Annie Parfitt has been nick-named the Hog Mother of the hospital!

Danni Taylor is the new contact for Randwick and can be got on 753619 and 07974 055485. Danni will collect sick or injured hogs found by you in this area and collect postcodes of any hog sitings. The Help a Hedgehog Hospital based in Brimscombe is getting a name for itself - earlier this month they had an interesting day with 6 hoglets found in different parts of the county plus one being delivered from Wales, another from Yate and advice given to one in Manchester!

The HHH website has been redesigned and has great info re hedgehogs. Contact them or if you are in Whiteshill and Ruscombe then please contact our Hedgehog Warden, Claire Griffiths 0n 757348. However if you get stuck still call me and I might be able to help - a sort of reserve Hedgehog warden.....

Hedgehog Hospital needs funds for mealworms!

I've just heard from the Hedgehog Hospital - and they say: "All going well here but manically busy. We have 42 autumn juveniles in already and they are munching their way through a lot of meal worms and food. We are buying mealworms by 20kg sac which cost £110 .........!!! We really need to raise some more money."

See their website for details of fund raising events. The website has been updated and there are ways you can help by becoming a member of Help A Hedgehog Hospital - a great Christmas present. They also have their own Help A Hedgehog calendar with the hedgehogs in. It is only £6 and will be at their fundraising events along with cards and goodies. Check out their web site: www.helpahedgehog.org/

Meanwhile I am still the temporary Hedgehog Warden for Randwick Parish - do let me know if anyone is interested in taking on the role? See more here.

Helping Hands needed for Autumn Juveniles

It is a really bad year for late second litters. OK if you have lost me I'm talking hedgehogs. They are coming into the Hedgehog Hospital in Brimscombe now as small as 100g- 300g - they don't stand a chance and will certainly die in hibernation. They already have 35 in at the hospital!! As one of the local Hedgehog Wardens I want to say please can everyone look out for little hedgehogs day and night from now on...can't get rid of this underlining - fonts seem to be going crazy in this post....anyway this is from the Hospital...

Autumn juvenile hedgehogs are ones that are old enough to be away from their mothers but too small to hibernate. The autumn juvenile season can start as early as September and is busiest through until the end of November. Young hedgehogs can and will try and hibernate at 450gms (1lb) or less but are unlikely to survive. It is preferable for them to weigh 600gms (22oz) in order to hibernate successfully and be in sufficiently good condition to survive post hibernation.

Hedgehogs are nocturnal so those out in the day need rescuing. Even though in some cases they appear lively and are rushing around these hedgehogs need your help. Once out in the day they can be days away from death. So if out in the day whether rushing about or curled up asleep they need rescuing. Hedgehogs do NOT hibernate in the open. They make a nest of leaves etc and disappear into the depths of the nest and are completely hidden. Hedgehogs under 450gms (1lb) that appear to be hibernating (cold and in a tight ball) are suffering from hypothermia and are in fact dying. These must be rescued if they are to stand any chance of survival. Towards the end of October or if bad weather is expected those under 350gms (12oz) are best be rescued whether they are out day or night.

Please can you be hedgehog aware and help me to put hedgehogs back on the map in Gloucestershire. If you find any hedgehogs out in the day or small hedgehogs out at the end of October day or night use gardening gloves place hedgehog wrapped in a towel into a secure cardboard box and contact Help a Hedgehog Hospital. I will look after them and over winter them to ensure they get through their hibernation successfully and release back into the Wild in the Spring or when they have gained enough weight for a successful hibernation. Thank you all for your help.

Annie Parfitt - a volunteer carer working for the Hedgehog Preservation Society. Founder of Help a Hedgehog Hospital please phone:886424 annieparfitt(at)sky.com www.helpahedgehog.org/

I want to know when you see a hedgehog locally!!

It looks like we have a Hedgehog Warden for Whiteshill and Ruscombe. So I will soon only be temporary warden for Randwick. Anyone interested? See more details on my blog here. You get honorary membership to 'Help a Hedgehog Hospital' (HHH) near Brimscombe!

Photo: Photoshop from Russ - it made me smile as Annie Parfitt has been nick-named the Hog Mother of the hospital!

The HHH website is currently being redesigned and the intention is to upload the sighting data of hedgehogs so please Randwick folk keep sending me the info!! A postcode with the number of hogs you saw. While those in Whiteshill and Ruscombe please contact your new Hedgehog Warden, Claire Griffiths 0n 757348.

On another note, to assist with the raising of well needed funds for the Help a Hedgehog Hospital, Bev Jones the HHH Fundraising and Events Organiser has arranged for HHH to have a stall/street collection at various events over the next few months. Maybe folk would be interested in helping with the stalls? And look out for the stall at:

SEPT 12TH, SUN FRAMPTON COUNTRY SHOW 9-5PM
SEPT 26TH, SUN BULB AND PLANT SALE, 11-2PM - BUSSAGE VILLAGE HALL
OCT 16TH, SAT STREET COLLECTION IN STROUD - 9.2
NOV 20TH SAT STROUD, SUBS FORECOURT 9-3
DEC 3RD FRI STROUD GOODWILL EVENING 5-9 - TO BE CONFIRMED
DEC 4+5TH SAT/SUN SLIMBRIDGE WWT - 2 DAY XMAS FAYRE/WINTER FESTIVAL
DEC 11TH SAT STROUD STREET COLLECTION 9-2
DEC 18TH SAT STROUD SUBS FORECOURT 9.3

Look out for hoglets

Below is the latest from the local Hedgehog Hospital - I am temporarily Hedgehog warden for this area - but am looking for someone to take over from me! See details of my first 'rescue' here and details on how to be a warden here.

June and July are the months you may see young hedgehogs, called hoglets. They are left to fend for themselves from 7-8 weeks, but can be seen before if the nest is disturbed, or they may be abandoned and if their mother is killed. They are at risk from flies and maggots and being taken by cats, dogs, foxes and badgers. If you see any out in the daytime, or an adult hedgehog, it may need help - call us on 01453 886424 or 07831 682505. We can call and assess the hedgehog or hoglet.

Feeding mothers, as with adults, need dried cat food and plenty of water. Many hedgehogs die in the summer due to lack of water. By feeding hedgehogs you will encourage them to stay in your garden, they eat many pests – up to 100 per night, and are the gardener’s friend, we sell hedgehog houses and feeding boxes for £25.00 each. Your local warden is Philip Booth 01453 755451 – main hospital tel 01453 886424, emergencies 07867 974525 or 07831 682505. For more information see the website www.helpahedgehog.org/

Hedgehog rescue

Over a week ago I was involved in an hedgehog rescue. The adult hog was found lying in the playing field at Randwick in the open in the early afternoon. It lay still, breathing, not curled but not moving - a local dog was very interested. It is likely that strimming and grass cutting nearby sent it out into the open where it was either disorientated or had poss faced dogs poking at it....

We contacted the Hedgehog Hospital and were advised to put it in a cardboard box and check for injuries.

Photos: Hog curled and being fed cat food - much to the annoyance and jealousy of a neighbours cat!

The resident and her granddaughter managed to get a cardboard box and put the hog inside. It was then taken back into a cool place and offered water and cat food - it lay very still for a long while then seemed to come more alive and was soon eating nearly half a tin.

I met the hog at this point and the hog seemed to continue to improve - coming more to life - no injury visible on underneath and it wasn't dehydrated - spines went back when pulled - there were also no sign of flies - after further discussions with the Hospital we agreed to release it. I took it back to Randwick much later in the afternoon/evening and was able to let it free in a hedgerow. It stayed in a ball for a while before crawling off into the hedge.

I hope it has survived - if it hadn't returned to so much life and had been out for a long time then the hospital said it would have kept it for a few days in observation - the danger is if they have been out for the day flies will lay eggs (white clumps) on them usually nearly their eyes and backsides. So any out in the day they bring in for a few days, just in case maggots appear - a hedgehog MOT if you like - monitor their weight, check for ticks detick and deflea and then feed up and release. This one looked fine so probably the best action to release straight away.

Click on the label below to find out how you can help the hospital - in particular they are looking for Hedgehog Wardens in each village as noted in recent post.

Hedgehog Wardens wanted!

Last week I sent to all the Parish Councils the following note that I put together for the local Hedgehog Hospital. I am hoping it will also find it's way into the Parish newsletters - if anyone reading this is interested do get in touch with Annie - also see this Saturday details below of fundraiser for hospital.

WANTED! Hedgehog Wardens and Hedgehog-friendly carpenter

In 2008 Annie Parfitt set up a Hedgehog hospital near Brimscombe in response to news that hedgehogs are dying out at a rate of about a fifth of the population every four years. Indeed hedgehogs are now so threatened that they are on the British wildlife endangered list.

Annie and her team of volunteers have been raising money since then and established a number of sheds to treat injured, sick, underweight and orphaned hedgehogs and hoglets. They have been able to save many hedgehogs before releasing them into the wild again. Now they want to raise more awareness locally and find out more about the local hedgehog populations. Annie is seeking a volunteer in each village to become a 'Hedgehog Warden' - please contact Annie if you are interested on 01453 886424.

The Hedgehog Hospital would also love help from a volunteer carpenter with a few hours spare, as they have got so much more they want to do with their hospital. For more information see the website www.helpahedgehog.org/

Plant Sale, coffee morning and fun family day

Sunday 13th June at Bussage Village Hall 10am - 1pm. The Hedgehog Hospital have a plant sale at the family fun day including bouncy castle, face painting, treasure hunt, cream teas, cakes, coffees and lots more. There will be a couple of hedgehogs to meet. They are fundraising now for a Secure Pre Release Pen and Sheds for Mums and Babies.

International Biodiversity Day

Today is International Biodiversity Day and 2010 is the United Nations' International Year of Biodiversity- see more here.

Photos: Buttercup fields viewed from the top of Ash Lane, Randwick

Natural England recently said that England is becoming a country of 'beauty spots rather than beauty'. Their report earlier this year showed nearly 500 species of animals and plants have become extinct in England as a result of human activity since 1800.

In the first ever audit of England’s lost and declining species, 12 per cent of land mammals, 22 per cent of amphibians and 24 per cent of butterflies were shown to have been lost!! The populations of a further 943 species are at precariously low levels including the northern bluefin tuna, the Natterjack toad and the red squirrel, which Natural England says could become extinct in the next 20-30 years without urgent action.

Biodiversity is not some add on that we can do when the economic situation is good - it is a fundamental indicator of our planet's health. Indeed restoring and supporting our ecosystems is what has been described as "cost-effective investment in this planet’s economic survival". Although while we need to more clearly recognise the value of biodiversity in economic terms that doesn't discount other values.....one example given is the Red Squirrel which is not worth anything in economic terms but is hugely important to us culturally, spiritually and aesthetically.

The intensification of agriculture perhaps plays the largest part in terms of biodiversity loss - in particular the overuse of fertilisers and pesticides, the ploughing of grasslands and the loss of mixed farms. Yet producing more food and protecting biodiversity are not opposed - see the many examples of organic farms that have hugely enhanced local biodiversity.

Other scary facts...

Defra statistics released in April 2009 show a deterioration in levels of breeding seabirds, wintering waterbirds, woodland and grassland habitats; farmland bird populations declined by 13 per cent in England between 1994 and 2007; mammals like dormice have disappeared from 50 per cent of their former habitats and only 140,000 native red squirrels remain.

This year the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) estimated 80 per cent of English and Welsh ponds were in a ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’ condition while Pond Conservation estimates 75 per cent of Britain’s rivers fail new European standards on biodiversity. In fact I wrote a letter on thsi a while back to the press - see here letter about no pristine rivers being in the South West.

See also the article The Ecologist "UK wildlife becoming the ‘living dead’" by Laura Edgecumbe-Ansdell and Tom Levitt which was useful in putting together this blog entry.

This blog has covered a number of local projects to improve biodiversity - in particular the exciting plans to make Stroud the first Bee Guardian town and the moves by the local hedgehog hospital to protect hedgehogs. Locally we are having a talk soon about how the Ruscombe Brook can be viewed as a living organism.

Lastly I just acme across this article here about saying 'nature has to be preserved' condemns the poor to poverty - and here about how helping poor and biodiversity are two sides of the same coin.

Hedgehog loving carpenter wanted!

At the Wap on Saturday - see my blog post here - the local Hedgehog Hospital had a stall. It was good to catch up with Annie Parfitt, "Hog Mother" - you can see my visit to the hospital and other previous blogs on hedgehogs by clicking here and scrolling down.

Photos: Annie at the Hedgehog Hospital stall at Wap

Hedgehogs are dying out at a rate of about a fifth of the population every four years it is wonderful that the Hedgehog Hospital in Brimscombe is not only raising awareness of this issue but also rescuing and helping hedgehogs - their website has more info: www.helpahedgehog.org/

Well I learnt that Annie needs help from a carpenter willing to give a little bit of time - already she has a number of specially built sheds and a huge number of volunteers but some woodwork skills would be great - do contact her via their website if you think you might be able to help.

Another project that is in the process of being launched is to have a Hedgehog Warden in each area - more news on that soon.

Lastly see article entitled "Why only hedgehogs can make us love nature" here. A scientist who 'doesn't do dippy nonsense', hedgehog expert Hugh Warwick was moved by one spiny specimen into a new-found appreciation for the natural world.

Randwick, Whiteshill and Ruscombe News from your District Councillor

I've just started delivering my latest news letter - the contents of which are below - apols for delay - I usually try to get it out in January but due to a twisted ankle and the snow it has been delayed. Please also use the 'labels' or the search engine on this blog to find out more about my activities.

Dear Resident,

I feel very fortunate to live in and be part of these lively communities. We have a great village shop, schools, churches, clubs and pubs, plus many wonderful local events like street parties, the Randwick Wap, pancake races, art exhibitions, theatre and more. These all go a long way towards strengthening our communities - something that is close to my heart.

As residents will know, I have nearly completed four years as the local District Councillor. I would be proud to serve a further term and I hope you will consider voting for me this May.

This newsletter gives a taste of some of my recent actions and projects. As I hope it shows, I remain passionate about social and environmental justice and am committed to working with others to achieve the changes we need.

I would like to thank all those who have supported me and the local Green Party for funding this annual newsletter.

Cllr. Philip Booth, Stroud District Councillor for Randwick, Whiteshill and Ruscombe ward

Want to talk to Philip?

Philip would love to hear your views, answer your questions or try to help with local problems. Email Philip on philip.booth2@virgin.net or phone 01453755451 or write to: 2 The Laurels, Bread Street, Ruscombe, Stroud GL66EL.

Some recent successes

Philip has:

• Led a successful campaign to get a bus shelter at Stratford
• Set up the Stroud Valleys Water Forum that is taking a lead in developing an effective flood policy for the District
• Initiated a Countywide scheme for libraries to loan out energy monitors to help people cut their energy use
• Supported residents who have had problems with planning issues
• Helped get a new culvert and grill at Acres Place, Puckshole, to reduce flooding
• Worked with Whiteshill and Ruscombe Parish Council to establish allotments in the area Road
  

Some recent actions by your councillor:

Seeking more accountability at the Council

I have joined other Greens in calling for:

• Councillor expenses to be published fully
• Ending the extra cash paid to councillors who use larger cars
• More openness around decisions to close joint-use sports centres
• The Council to apologise to tenants for the damning report on our Council housing stock (with the exception of two other councillors, all refused to make an apology)

Working for better planning

• I continue to oppose development on the Ruscombe Valley fields and at other key local sites that are currently threatened
• I have been one of four councillors on an extensive inquiry into the planning process which has made key recommendations for improvements

Pressing for transport improvements

• I have helped to gain the '20 is Plenty' traffic calming signs. I oppose County Council measures to remove these.
• I continue to seek other local traffic calming measures (not humps and bumps)
• I continue to work for 20mph speed limits in residential areas to reduce casualties and encourage more walking and cycling
• I want to see a proper bus station in Stroud and improvements to cycle facilities

Protecting our wildlife and environment

• I have been involved in projects locally such as clearing the local brook, supporting the local Hedgehog Hospital and helping develop the Stroud-based Global Bee Project to protect solitary bees
• I have sought improvements to local grit bins and road gullies
• I helped ensure that Severn Trent has taken action on sewage systems locally. This has led to a significant reduction in sewage incidents

Open Homes Success

• I initiated and help organise the hugely popular Eco-renovation Open Homes weekend each September. This involves local homes with renewable energy and energy efficiency measures opening to the public and local renewable energy installers promoting their products

Tackling fuel poverty, energy security and climate change

• I chaired a scrutiny inquiry that has made recommendations for financing energy efficiency and renewable measures
• I am seeking opportunities for the Council to invest and make serious financial returns on investments in renewable energy

Working on your behalf

• Opposing a large incinerator at Javelin Park near Stonehouse or elsewhere in the County
• Actively working to ensure our waste management is more sustainable and cost effective
• Initiated a wood fuel project in local woods
• Raised key issues as Stroud’s representative on the Wessex Water Customer Liaison Panel
• Sought improvements to services at Stratford Park Leisure Centre including measures to improve cleanliness and energy efficiency
• Supported others to successfully oppose large cuts in funding to arts

See last years report here.

Hedgehog Hospital at Bussage Village Hall on Saturday

Well regular blog readers will remember several blogs regarding the new Hedgehog Hospital in Brimscombe - well their website has more info: www.helpahedgehog.org/

They have also now rescued over 50 hedgehogs and returned them to the wild - 14 juveniles are also now successfully gaining weight so that they can be released very soon. You can find out more on Sat 6th March at Bussage Village Hall from 1-3pm where there will be a cake and coffee sale to raise money - plus new membership packages and a sponsor a hedgehog scheme.

Hedgehog Hospital website

Well regular blog readers will remember several blogs earlier in the year regarding the new Hedgehog Hospital in Brimscombe - well their website is progressing and recently had lots more info added to it: www.helpahedgehog.org/

Photo: Hamish at the Hospital

There is also a new car sticker which you can buy for £2. I think Annie has 15 hogs at the moment - and is also working with pupils from Thomas Keble Secondary School - they are creating a questionnaire mapping sightings of hedgehogs in Gloucestershire. Most of the pupils had never come face to face with a hedgehog before. This is perhaps not so surprising as figures show hedgehogs are dying out at a rate of about a fifth of the population every four years: if this continues there will be no more hedgehogs by 2025!

See my visit to Hedgehog Hospital here and more info here and bonfire alert here.

Hog alert: care with bonfires needed

A while back I visited the Brimscombe Hedgehog Hospital and was delighted by the enthusiasm of 'Hog Mother' Annie Parfitt - I've just helped get the press release out below warning about bonfires - but also hear from her that she has been doing several talks recently....Randwick Cubs after hearing her talk raised a huge £100 for the Hospital while Tetbury Scouts all brought a tin of dog food.

Photos: a cartoon from Russ inspired by the Hog Hospital, one of the rescued hogs and two pics from the Hedgehog Hospital display in Stroud Valleys window at the moment

As I've noted before shockingly Hedgehogs are dying out at a rate of about a fifth of the population every four years so we need to do all we can. See here previous release re hospital and underweight hogs.

CAMPAIGNERS WARN BONFIRE SITES CAN BE HEDGEHOG HOTELS

Annie Parfitt of the Brimscombe Hedgehog Hospital said that hedgehogs were likely to seek out bonfire sites because they were a perfect habitat for taking shelter. She is urging people to look out for any sleeping visitors as too many have been burnt in the past.

Annie Parfitt said: "Hedgehogs are nocturnal and sleep during the day. Bonfires are an ideal place offering protection. They look like a home - or rather they look like a five-star hotel to hedgehogs. But unfortunately when a bonfire is lit, the hedgehog's natural defence mechanism is to curl up in a ball rather than escape the fire. Ideally items to be burnt should be moved to a different site or a few feet away before being lit."

Annie Parfitt added: "If you do find a hedgehog then it should be collected in a box, given cat or dog food and water, and kept in a quiet and dark place until the bonfires are over and have been dampened down."

For more information or if you have concerns about underweight hedgehogs or hedgehogs who may not be hibernating please contact Annie Parfitt on 01453 886424 or annieparfitt (at) sky.com

HEDGEHOG FACTS
Hedgehogs tend to hibernate between November and mid March
The Hedgehog is known as 'the gardener's friend'
They like to nest under sheds, hedges and brushwood
Their backs are covered with rows of short prickly spines and their bellies are covered with soft fur
A relaxed hedgehog lays down its spines

Helping Hands needed for Hedgehogs

I recently visited the new Hedgehog Hospital - see here - well it is now getting to that time when Hedgehogs will be starting to think about hibernation - and some will be too small - others will not go soon enough - some may need help....

Cartoon from Russ of the hospital - and photos taken on my visit to the Hospital

Below is a piece I've sent to the local newsletters the Warbler, Runner and Four Wards, based on something Annie - the 'Hog Mother' - has written to publicise the help she is offering. Please call her if you have any queries.

Recently a Hedgehog Hospital has been established in Brimscombe by Annie Parfitt whose energy and enthusiasm has already raised money and brought in volunteers. This is very timely, as figures show hedgehogs are dying out at a rate of about a fifth of the population every four years: if this continues there will be no more hedgehogs by 2025!

Annie has many plans including trying to plot where hedgehogs still are in this District and reintroduce hedgehogs back into areas where appropriate. She would welcome information on sitings in Whiteshill and Ruscombe. However the priority this Autumn are the juvenile hedgehogs: the ones that are old enough to be away from their mothers but too small to hibernate.

From as early as September young hogs can and will try and hibernate at 450gms (1lb) or less. However they are unlikely to survive. Annie says: "It is preferable for them to weigh 600gms (22oz) in order to hibernate successfully and be in sufficiently good condition to survive post hibernation. Hedgehogs are nocturnal so those out in the day NEED rescuing. Once out in the day they can be days away from death."

Hedgehogs don't hibernate in the open, but rather make a nest of leaves and sticks and then disappear into the depths of the nest so that they are completely hidden. Annie says hedgehogs under 450gms (1lb) that appear to be hibernating (cold and in a tight ball) are suffering from hypothermia and are in fact dying. It is these hogs that she says need rescuing if they are to stand any chance of survival.

Annie, who has been known to go out with weighing scales and gloves, said: "Towards the end of October or if bad weather is expected those under 350gms (12oz) are best rescued whether they are out day or night."

Indeed any hedgehogs out in the day at the end of October probably need rescuing and she advises using gardening gloves to place the hedgehog wrapped in a towel into a secure cardboard box and then to contact Help a Hedgehog Hospital. She says: "I will look after them and over winter them to ensure they get through their hibernation successfully and release back into the Wild in the Spring or when they have gained enough weight for a successful hibernation."

Phone for hedgehog help or advice 'Help a Hedgehog Hospital' on: 07867974525 or email annieparfitt(at)sky.com

Hedgehog Hospital is getting ready for Autumn

On Friday - ie yesterday - I had the pleasure of visiting the Hedgehog Hospital in Brimscombe.

Photos are from that visit: first up Annie Parfitt, described as 'Hog Mother', then a couple of shots of shed one waiting for the first hoglet orphans, injured or underweight this Autumn and lastly two photos of injured Hedgehog Ash.

You can see most of the SNJ article about the hospital here along with a couple of useful links - including one that shows the dreadful situation that means at current rates there will be no more hedgehogs by 2025 - shockingly they are dying out at a rate of about a fifth of the population every four years.

This project looks set to really make a difference - already it has increased my awareness about the plight of these wonderful creatures - and in my conversations about how to support the Hospital many ideas were discussed like surveys of the area, encouraging more hedgehog friendly gardens etc - more of those no doubt in future blogs - especially in October when the time comes to look out for the underweight hoglets who shouldn't be out - come back to this blog mid to late October for more info on what to do and how the Hospital with Annie and her volunteers can help.

Mind if you are at a loss at what to do in the last days of school holidays then why not consider making a hedgehog home - lots of info on the web - like the British Hedgehog Preservation Society here - and the BBC site here about siting the house, and home building advice here.

Anyhow if you are on Facebook you can join their site here - I can't say I have ever got going with Facebook - I have a site but never really add to it - but did try for the first time and add these photos but have so far failed to link them to the Facebook group - I'll have another go or send them direct to the Hedgehog Hospital. Anyway enough for now congrats to all involved in the project for getting it to happen.

Help a Hedgehog Hospital

I read in the SNJ about the former veterinary nurse Annie Parfitt who has set up a special hospital at her home in Brimscombe to reverse the decline of hedgehogs. I've since been in contact and we are exploring the possibilities of some research into hedgehog sitings locally - anyone interested in helping? Annie also needs dog food donations (details below).

I've always had a soft spot (is that the right words?) for hedgehogs - and there are too few around here - indeed across the country there has been a massive decline in numbers - Nottingham Trent Uni are doing some research - see here - indeed at current rates there will be no more of them by 2025 - shockingly they are dying out at a rate of about a fifth of the population every four years (see Guardian fascinating article here)!!

I know badgers and foxes, which are common here, are partial to young hedgehogs and certainly the motorcar seems to have too many - anyhow it would be great to see this project take off in the way that the local Global Bee Project has captured people's imaginations. More coming to this blog soon.

Anyhow here is part of what the SNJ wrote: Mrs Parfitt, 41, looks after sick, injured or orphaned animals at the Help a Hedgehog Hospital and eventually hopes to re-introduce the threatened species into parts of Gloucestershire where it has died out.

"I have lived in this area all my life and you don’t see hedgehogs any more, which is very upsetting," said the mother-of-two, who is a teaching assistant at Thomas Keble School. I want to try to put hedgehogs back on the map in Gloucestershire. I just really love them, there is something special about them."

Mrs Parfitt, of Bourne Lane, decided to set up the hospital in 2008 after hearing that hedgehog populations were so low that they were on the British wildlife endangered list. She raised £400 by asking people to donate money instead of presents for her 40th birthday and a further £600 in a sponsored run 12-mile race. Ten year-old twins Milly and Beth Godwin, who also live in Brimscombe, raised £150 through garage sales, while Mrs Parfitt paid £350 from her own pocket to set up the hospital.

Mrs Parfitt has one garden shed with heat pads which will soon become a surgery and examination room for sick or injured hedgehogs. She has another shed to provide food and shelter for underweight autumn juveniles to help them through the winter. There is also a former chicken house in a nearby field where more hedgehogs can be kept.

Mrs Parfitt, a voluntary carer for the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, currently gets all her 'patients' from Bowbridge Veterinary Group and Clockhouse Veterinary Hospital.

Mrs Parfitt aims to map the distribution of hedgehogs in Gloucestershire on her website and then release patients in areas where they have died out. For more information, contact Annie Parfitt on 01453 886424 or annieparfitt (at) sky.com

I've already sent an email expressing interest in making a home for a hedgehog - although I do have concerns in this area as their are so many badgers.

Help a hedgehog hospital is situated in Brimscombe near Stroud and offers expert help with caring for hedgehogs found by members of the public and in need of medical treatment and tlc. See the website here: www.helpahedgehog.org/

Local bits and bobs: other WaRblers, Revellers and more

WaRbler newsletter - last night I was at a very pleasant meeting discussing the contents of the Whiteshill and Ruscombe Parish community newsletter - see previous issues here - we have easily found plenty of news for what looks set to be a two page edition again - but do contact the editor via the link if you have items to include in the next edition - I was interested in a search to find a huge variety of other communities with newsletters called The Warbler - see Pineywoods Sierra Group in Texas, Friends of the Welty Environment Centre in Wisconsin, the Audubon Society of Portland, the Alan Devoe Bird Club, Chatham, NY and many more.

Photo: Middle Spring, Ruscombe

Bread Street Street party - Some residents in Bread Street are looking at holding a street party in the summer this year. Many people have moved into the area in recent years and it is hoped to have a good time and also give newcomers and old timers a chance get to know each other better. Do please contact me if you think you can help organise: 01453 755451.

Randwick Revellers Pantomine - by all accounts 'Mother Goose' was a triumph - I missed it again due to Green party conference but from talking to folk and the write up in the Runner it is clear all went very well.

Hamwell Leaze - this green space along the Ruscombe Brook has been included in a successful bid with other green areas by the Stroud Valleys Project for a £18,000 grant to help clean up and put biodiversity back into some neglected urban green spaces. As SVP note it isn't just song thrushes, great crested newts, bats, otters and kingfishers whose numbers are plummeting - it is also sparrows, hedgehogs, grass snakes and slow worms.

SVP walks and events - Stroud Valleys Project have a number of very local events planned - contact them direct but they include a walk to Doverow Hill on 1st March, a birdwatch at Hamwell Leaze on 29th April, a Bluebell walk in Randwick on 11th May, a flowers of Selsey Common event on 11th June plus pond surveys in Cainscross, pond dipping at a primary school in Cainscross. Plus every Tuesday and Thursday SVP help landowners to improve their wildlife - call Richarch or Nadine on 753358 for info.

Gloucestershire Curiosities - a talk on 28th Feb at 7.30 by Hugh Conway-Jones at Randwick Village Hall - a Randwick Historical Assoc event but open to others £3.50.

Children's Centre at Cashes Green Drop-in session - see what they have today 9am to 12 noon and be able to talk about the services your family would like to use there.

Youth Pod - in Stonehouse youngsters aged 13 to 17 have a place to socialise called 'The Pod' - sofas, games consoles, a kitchenette, posters etc - Cllr Karon Cross - District councillor for Cainscross - is seeking one for central Cashes Green area. The County have said no but I have offered support for the proposals - although clearly siting is important to ensure problems are not created.

Whiteshill recycling - Blog readers may recall that some Whiteshill residents have been woken at ridiculously early hours by noisy recycling - I have spoken with SDC officers and written an email - one resident has also now after several letters received a positive response from saying that the route for recycling will change in near future in order to give that area 'some 'respite from early morning noise. That has already happened with a post 7 am collection on the Plain. Clearly someone else will now suffer until the review of contracts in April 2009 but perhaps at least the suffering is shared?

What's happening to our weather?

The Independent had a good article about the weather a few days ago by Michael McCarthy - see it in full here - or read on for highlights...

Photo: Pond earlier this year

While this summer is set to be the wettest ever, it is only the latest in a series of broken records which suggest climate change is here already. All of the smashed records are to do with temperature and rainfall - the two aspects of the climate most likely to be intensified by the advent of global warming.

While no specific event can be ascribed directly to climate change, the sequence of events is strongly suggestive of a climate that is now unmistakably altering before our eyes - and the pattern of increasing heat and wet weather has been visible all around the globe, with temperature and rainfall records broken in many other countries, from Australia (record drought) and India (record monsoon rains) to Greece (record forest fires).

Here in the UK alone, in the past 14 months we have experienced the hottest July, the hottest April and the wettest June since records began. We have seen the hottest autumn and the hottest spring, and the second-hottest winter. We have also seen the hottest single month, and - by a considerable margin - the hottest single 12-month period. Now we are on the brink of seeing the soggiest British summer as a whole since records were first kept for the United Kingdom in 1914.

The evidence is becoming totally overwhelming - in recent years, extreme and record-breaking real events, entirely consistent with global warming predictions, have started to mount up - beginning with the remarkable heatwave of August 2003, which caused 35,000 excess deaths in France and northern central Europe. That was the first event whose severity was ascribed by scientists directly to climate change.

As any gardener will know this is playing havoc with wildlife... earlier this year hedgehogs have been fooled by the warmth into having extra litters, thinking it was still early autumn; the young then died when the cold finally did arrive because they had had insufficient time to put on weight for hibernation. Swifts arrived back from Africa in the middle of April, when they would normally get here at about the end of May's first week. Meanwhile the summer floods have led to catastrophe for many ground nesting birds (see more at Glos Wildlife Trust here). Last year holly berries were fruiting in mid-October, six weeks early.....