Dear All,

Forgive me this update, but I am excited and I wanted to share it with you. My new book has arrived - I have been holding the thing in my hands and grinning! It hits the shops on 10th September.

The short book is all about the natural history of the hedgehog, spiced up with some of the more eccentric stories that surround this wonderful animal. It is a book that will please the hedgehog fan and convert those who have yet taken that important step! It is part of a series run by the publishers Graffeg.

It is also a book that really pushes the campaign for Hedgehog Highways - and hopefully it will do so to a new audience. This platform is so important because it reaches a different constituency of people to my usual round of talks to the WI, TWG, PROBUS, Gardening Clubs, U3A, primary schools etc - and the book is another tool.

The more people who care about hedgehogs, the more people will be willing to take those steps to help them - making the holes in the fences, talking to neighbours - and, increasingly, talking to developers and planners about what is going on in your own patch. 

This book is full of photos - some from the amazing photographer Nick Upton which have not been published before. I wish I had his skills!

Yes, this is an advert - but I think (hope) you will allow me that today - for those who are and who know authors - you will also know that this is NOT the way to great wealth! And the reason I work so hard doing what I do is to spread hedgehog (and nature) love far and wide.

It is currently cheapest to pre-order from Wildsounds - but it might be more convenient for some to go with Amazon. I hope you enjoy this little offering - please do share the news. Thank you.