Hedgehogs are heading into hibernation. But that does not mean we should stop thinking about our prickly friends. Now is a great time to do something practical to help them. And to encourage you all to take part - I am thrilled to announce a wonderful competition!
Hedgehog Highways - it is what the petition is all about - making holes in fences … have you made a hole? Are you planning on making a hole? Then take a photo of your hedgehog hole and send it into the Hedgehog Highways Facebook Group - and I, along with my two amazing moderators, will choose the FIVE best holes … and the prize? You will each get an amazing hedgehog house to add to your garden - as modelled in the picture above. Please tell us a little about your hole, and whether you have hedgehogs visiting your garden as well.
Nigel Gilbert, who runs Little Field Country Crafts, and has generously donated the prizes, explained to me how his business started.
“I started making hoghouses in Lockdown 1.0 when I was furloughed from my corporate job. I was already working with a Hedgehog Recue centre, Marston Hoggies, based in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire, by fostering, overwintering and soft releasing rescue hogs and thought it might be nice to make and sell hoghouses to support Gayle who ran the rescue. Things quickly expanded and long story short - I gave up my unrewarding corporate job and switched to making hoghouses. Gayle from Marston Hoggies fell seriously ill last year and 2 local ladies kindly took over the rescue renaming it Countryside Hoggies Wildlife Rehab.
“To date, I have donated £4,276 across both rescues. Up until August, I donated £5 for each hoghouse I sold but as this is now my sole form of income, I’ve had to reduce this and I now donate a fixed amount of £100 per month.
“I don’t have a website, I use my Facebook page as my shop window and source of all things Hedgehog and Wildlife.”
I am so impressed - actually more than that, I am humbled, with what Nigel has managed to achieve - over £4,000 … amazing. And I am so thrilled that he has donated the prizes. Please do return the favour - if you don’t win … why not buy one from him!
Now - the categories … we will be judging the holes both from the perspective of the creativity and from the practical solutions to obstacles. So if you have an ace hole, send in a photo. Cute, whimsical - however you want to decorate it - but do consider the well-being of the hedgehog, make sure there are no bits for them to be caught on.
Maybe you have gardens that is at a different height to your neighbours and you have done something clever with a ramp or a staircase (I have seen both!) - get a photo and send it in!
And while you are at it, why not log the hole on The Big Hedgehog Map!
I think this will make a good story on social media - how about we try and get #pimpyourhole trending on Twitter!!! Spread the word far and wide - not only will there be lots of people making hedgehog holes, but also being introduced to the other parts of our campaign.
Good luck - I am so looking forward to seeing what amazingly creative holes will appear! Final date for the photos will be 9th December - to give us enough time to organise the prizes arriving before Christmas.