Make your garden hedgehog-friendly
see below for our top tips First Aid for Hedgehogs click here for more information Hedgehog Rescue Centres click here for a list of local centres |
|
Top Tips for a hedgehog
friendly garden
|
Mind the gap. Can a hedgehog get in and out of your garden? Hedgehogs travel around 1km a night in search of food, shelter and, in spring and summertime, a mate. To help them do so, make a hole in or under your fence that's around the size of a CD (12cm2 is ideal). Embrace mess. A garden that is too tidy will not hold much appeal for a hedgehog. Ensure that there is a plenty of cover where they can shelter, make a nest and find food. Food for thought. In the wild, hedgehogs like to eat beetles, earthworms, caterpillars, grubs, earwigs, millipedes, slugs and snails. By growing plants and creating habitats that support these creatures, you'll be encouraging hedgehogs too. Wood you mind? A pile of leaves, garden clippings or logs will make a safe place for a hedgehog to rest during the day and a cosy nest for the winter months. Thirsty work. A dish of water will be greatly appreciated by passing hedgehogs, especially during dry spells. Nets away. A coat made of prickles is handy for keeping predators away but can cause problems when it comes to roaming around our gardens. Hedgehogs often get tangled up in sports nets and those used for covering vegetables, so make sure these are kept raised above ground level. Ramping up. Hedgehogs are good swimmers and ponds are great places for them to find a meal or a drink, but if your pond has steep sides add a ramp to help hedgehogs climb out. Pipe Dreams. Hedgehogs are very inquisitive but have poor eyesight. This combination means they can get themselves stuck down open drains or up drainpipes. Please help by covering these up. Strim alert. Strimmers cause horrible injuries to hedgehogs. Only use them if you absolutely have to and check areas of long grass or thick vegetation really carefully first. |
|
ARCHENFIELD LAND OF THE HEDGEHOG Archenfield is an area that borders Wales and England, and is surrounded by the River Wye and the River Monnow. Geographically, it was a small kingdom that stretched from Ross-on-Wye (east) to Hay-on-Wye (west), and from Monmouth (south) to Hereford (north). After the Romans left the area around 409 AD, Archenfield (then referred to as being Ercing), was reclaimed and re-settled by the Welsh. Archenfield was a semi-autonomous Welsh district where its inhabitants could choose whether they followed Welsh Common Law or English law. |
There are a few very old documents that give an insight into the unique position of Archenfield. They provide a glimpse into the various conflicts the Archenfielders had with the Welsh and English (and with each other). ‘The Ordinance concerning the Dunsaete’, which was written in the tenth century, sets out the agreements and procedures of trade between the Archenfielders (Dunsaeta – the hill-dwellers) with those living across the river after the theft of cattle and homicide.
Because the Anglo-Saxons were the overarching authority at the time, the Ordinance also reveals that the Archenfielders saw themselves equal to that of the king, as they state (to the king) that they should also receive hostages from Gwent, Wales in addition to those hostages being given to the West Saxons.
Later on, and in the Middle Ages, Giraldus Cambrensis, otherwise known as Gerald of Wales (1146 – 1223), reports Archenfielders were impetuous and volatile, lacking in loyalties and ferocious fighters. This reputation made the Archenfielders rather attractive to the kings of England, who commissioned them as mercenaries in their armies. In turn, these Archfielders were given special privileges and are referred to as ‘Kings-men’.
So, what about hedgehogs? Since ancient Greek times, the hedgehog has been portrayed as a cunning animal that steals apples, fruits, eggs and milk. Therefore, if a hedgehog was a thief and not to be trusted – were those who inhabited Ergyng called ‘hedgehogs’ by the Anglo-Saxons because they were thieves and not to be trusted? Or, were there other reasons why Ergyng was called ‘Land of Hedgehogs’?
Because the Anglo-Saxons were the overarching authority at the time, the Ordinance also reveals that the Archenfielders saw themselves equal to that of the king, as they state (to the king) that they should also receive hostages from Gwent, Wales in addition to those hostages being given to the West Saxons.
Later on, and in the Middle Ages, Giraldus Cambrensis, otherwise known as Gerald of Wales (1146 – 1223), reports Archenfielders were impetuous and volatile, lacking in loyalties and ferocious fighters. This reputation made the Archenfielders rather attractive to the kings of England, who commissioned them as mercenaries in their armies. In turn, these Archfielders were given special privileges and are referred to as ‘Kings-men’.
So, what about hedgehogs? Since ancient Greek times, the hedgehog has been portrayed as a cunning animal that steals apples, fruits, eggs and milk. Therefore, if a hedgehog was a thief and not to be trusted – were those who inhabited Ergyng called ‘hedgehogs’ by the Anglo-Saxons because they were thieves and not to be trusted? Or, were there other reasons why Ergyng was called ‘Land of Hedgehogs’?
Below you can see photos and films from the 2019 Hedgehog festival
The Green Hedgehog Festival thanks each and every one of the bands who played at this years event.
The weather was not on our side, and this meant challenging conditions for the bands, who had to battle rain and low attendance numbers. Dispite this, all the performers gave brilliant shows.
THANK YOU
The weather was not on our side, and this meant challenging conditions for the bands, who had to battle rain and low attendance numbers. Dispite this, all the performers gave brilliant shows.
THANK YOU
UP THE BUG VAPOR LILA J
ANGELA’S SUNSET JOHNNY RAGWORT
TOPAZ ANNTEEK ALISON HUSTWITT
We made films of one song by each band - see them below
|
|
|
Coming Soon - A Hedgerow Manifesto for Herefordshire
Within Herefordshire, hedgerows are a significant part of the natural landscape and provide tangible signs of the changing seasons. They make a significant contribution to recognising time and place. Whilst walking or cycling along my local hedge-lined lanes, I know spring is coming when I witness the emergence of buds on branches and know it has arrived, when I see the vibrant sight of hawthorn and blackthorn flowering.
Hedgerows are ancient boundaries that have been in place since Norman times and consequently define where we live, work and travel. They also connect areas of natural vegetation – providing corridors for wildlife that are vital for the movement and continuation of viable populations of small mammals, birds and insects. We are part of Nature’s complex (and often ‘unseen’) ecosystem. Our very existence depends upon insects feeding on natural habitats such as hedgerows to pollinate the food that we eat.
I’m delighted to let you know that the Hedgehog Festival in Ross-on-Wye is collaborating with the Herefordshire branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE). Together, we are adapting the ‘Bee Friendly Monmouthshire Hedgerow Manifesto’ into a ‘Hedgerow Manifesto for Herefordshire’ - an inspiring 20 page booklet (with lots of photographs) that explains in very simple terms:
- why hedgerows are important
- best practice
- maintenance
- restoration
THE 2018 HEDGEHOG FESTIVAL
see below for a film made on the day
PAM AYRES HEDGEHOG PAINTING Raises Funds
|
A watercolour painted and signed by Pam Ayres was auctioned durring the Hedgehog Festival and raised funds to support the work of the festival team.
The lucky winner was presented with the framed picture at the festival by a giant hedgehog who has learnt to walk on two legs!. A copy of the watercolour can be seen opposite, and the presentation can be seen in the festival film above, shot by Mr Cherry on the day. |
|