Last week I was running a day long workshop on hedgehog ecology in Ely.
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The East Cambridgeshire District Council had pulled together a wide range of staff, from planners to the people who are out in the fields mowing and maintaining.
The course is split into three lectures - and followed by a walk around to look at what we have learned in theory out in the real world. I always find these days fascinating (and exhausting) - there is so much real world experience that the likes of me will never get from books and papers!
First up is the basics - what is a hedgehog along with an introduction to their ecology … it is important that people understand why certain things are a particular problem for hogs and that can only come when you understand the complications of being nocturnal (sleeping in the bits you want to cut during the day) and lacking a flight response (so when a mower comes … the hog frowns and then rolls up).
Next I talk about the law and the research we have done to understand as much as we do. And finally onto the threats hedgehogs face - alongside a discussion about ways we can improve how we act.
Our walk around took us to the grounds of Ely Cathedral - and while you might expect my excitement to come from the glorious building … it was the picture above that caught my attention. Ideas taking shape!
The British Hedgehog Preservation Society has a nationwide campaign encouraging councils and tool hire companies to put stickers on their machinery that could be used in ways the hedgehogs might find challenging!
Have a look at this roll of honour!! So many people have signed up, it is very encouraging.
And talking of encouraging - something unexpected came out of the workshop in Ely … I had been unaware that the small seeds sown by this petition had taken root in East Cambridgeshire. Our campaign is to get planning law changed (I know, very exciting!!) to require all new housing developments to come with hedgehog highways included.
The first step was achieved back in 2019 when the National Planning Policy Framework was changed to include guidance to that effect. BUT - there were no teeth attached to that guidance unless local planning authorities stepped up. And that is just what the East Cambridgeshire District Council have done … I was handed a copy of the Hedgehog Recovery Design Guidance Supplementary Planning Document (I know, not a catchy title) …
This document is amazing!! Taking the Hedgehog Street campaign as the starting point, they state that the council, ‘has committed to a long-term programme of hedgehog recovery in the district’ … it really brings me hope to see that local authorities are taking our work seriously. Please - reach out to your representatives and see if they can be as amazing as the team at ECDC!
Okay - now to the business of Christmas. The BHPS has a special offer on their beautiful hedgehog calendars … grab them while you can!
And as for me … well, I would LOVE it if you all charged out to your local bookshops to buy any of my books … and while I will make no money from you spending £1 on Five Nights Out, it will bring me joy to see them spreading around the country! Buy two - give one to a school, friend … or as the good souls at Wild Keyworth have done, leave them at the library!
If you are completely stuck - the books are all available on Amazon …
And while it is great to have sales, it is also … and this bit is free … really valuable if you feel able to leave reviews … thank you.
Finally - if you are in London and want some fun … I will be on stage in Kings Place on Friday 13th December as part of Robin Ince’s amazing Nine Lessons and Carols for Curious People! Tickets still available (I think).