Yesterday was my boy's 18th birthday - that one in the picture is now taller than me with hair uncut since before covid. And just to avoid concern - the picture was taken in daylight but of a hedgehog that had been found wandering around and vulnerable - this was just me taking advantage of the situation before I took it to a rescue. It shows the benefit of talking about hedgehogs to everyone you meet - this is the garden of my optician ... as she had gazed into my eyes I had talked about hogs ... it had obviously stuck, as she called me when this little one appeared in her garden one morning.
Anyway - Pip's birthday - a moment to celebrate his move into adulthood - was met with a small group of friends who had no desire for alcohol and had a lovely evening/sleepover ... he is a gorgeous, sensitive, funny and kind young man - as he was a child.
Previously when I have posted something personal like this I have loved - and shared with the kids - the wonderful messages that have appeared. I am disappointed that this is no longer allowed by the site ... I will continue to try and get a change to their change, but am not hopeful. All I can do is offer the Facebook Group for hedgehog questions - and my twitter and instagram for more personal stuff.
Okay - to business - for those of you with kids or grandkids to entertain over the holiday I have a treat for you - a competition to enter - over at the British Hedgehog Preservation Society.
We are a month away from the start of Hedgehog Awareness Week - this is always a very busy time of the year and gives us the opportunity to share our hopes and concerns about our favourite animal. This year we are looking for someone to design us a poster!
Create something bold and striking that could be pinned up on a wall, noticeboard or in a classroom to remind people what it’s all about!
It could be drawn, painted, made of collage, designed on a computer, or something else – but it must include this information:
Hedgehog Awareness Week: 5 -11 May 2024
#HEDGEHOGWEEK
Our QR code (or a space for it!)
DOWNLOAD IT HERE
Send your designs by 22 April 2024 and our favourites will be shared online.
You can email a scan of your poster to info@britishhedgehogs.org.uk or post it to us at: Hedgehog House, Dhustone, Ludlow, Shropshire SY8 3PL
Entrants must be aged between 0-17 years.
A hedgehog-themed prize will be awarded to the winner, announced in time for Hedgehog Awareness Week 2024!
I will look forward to seeing what creative delights emerge from this!!!
In other news - I have been busy with the launch of my new book - Cull of the Wild: Killing in the Name of Conservation. This is not light and frothy - but a deep dive into our relationship with nature, about our desire to play god and about the cruelty that goes un-examined when we try our best to conserve what we have left.
If you have already got it and read it I would REALLY value a review up on the evil empire's website ... (hoping that the review is good, of course!) - I know that Amazon is a bad thing, but as I don't have a job and have to do most of my publicity myself (though this time round, Bloomsbury have been great - much more engaged than previous publishers) - I need to get the book under as many noses as possible and that company does that ... and reviews help. Ideally, you will find my book in your local bookshop ... but you can still leave a review!!
Got some big and exciting things coming in the next month or two ... will keep in touch.
Now - go get the paints and paper - and get creating!!