Dear All,

First, an apology for inaction over the last few weeks - I was fortunate enough to be at the front of a queue to get three hernias fixed. And thank you to the Horton Hospital in Banbury for treating me with kindness and good humour. There has been considerable discomfort, but all within the bounds of what was to be expected. However, I have been frustrated that it has taken me over a week now to feel alert enough to write anything! Everything is taking an age ... And tonight I have my first speaking engagement ... the Women's Institute at Chedworth. I have written and warned them that I will be appearing in my pyjamas - my only drawstring long trousers!!! Luckily they are of good humour!

And talking of humour - I will be one of many lovely people at Kings Place in London on Saturday night taking part in Nine Lessons and Carols for Curious People - the amazing variety night hosted by the indefatigable Robin Ince ... I will be talking about 'The Unexplored Potential of Revolutionary Hedgehogs' ... and our campaign, if I can squeeze that into my 7 minutes! There are still tickets available - it will be a fun night (and I might still be in pyjamas!) 

I would not be able to do these things without my temporary chauffeur - my wife Zoe!

My discomfort meant that I had to miss the launch of a wonderful initiative last Sunday. The extraordinarily gifted author, Hannah Bourne-Taylor, contacted me last year about her village of Enstone, Oxfordshire. She had moved there with her husband following many years in Ghana, and had been horrified by the number of hedgehogs killed on the road that runs through the village. It was clear that one particular hotspot was where traffic travelling on the A44 arrived at the village and did not slow down ... vehicle speed at night increases the chances of killing hedgehogs. So I was invited to speak to the Parish Council, and I met Hannah and her husband - and was thrilled at their energy and drive to get things done.

On top of that - her first book has now just been published, Fledgling - I cannot recommend this book highly enough - it is a powerful and beautifully honest account of how the connection with a single small bird can change a life. 

So - what I missed - was the culmination of Hannah and Robin's energetic attempt to enthuse their new home into loving nature a little more - bumble bees, swifts and hedgehogs all featured on the busy and buzzing Everyday Wild event. And cake ... the picture here is of Hannah's hedgehog highway cake ... I so hope that Enstone can become one of those communities that really embraces nature - these sorts of advances tend to be the result of an individual acting as both catalyst and motor - bringing people together and urging them to create more than they thought possible. 

Is there any chance I could persuade any of you to maybe consider buying some of my books ... having spent most of the last week either asleep or snoozing on the sofa - and not having a job that pays me when I am off work ... I need all the help I can get! There are six to choose from - but I will direct you to the most relevant! Hedgehogs!

And finally - a note for your diary. Hedgehog Awareness Week is coming - from 1-7th May - loads of events around the country and I will probably end up doing one or two posts just to try and bring them all together.