downsmail.co.uk
Couple open their home to orphaned hedgehogs
HEADCORN couple Tanya and Shane Alvis are preparing for an influx of baby hedgehogs as the breeding season for the country favourite gets underway. The couple have returned to the
task of hedgehog rescue after a three-year break, during which they home-tutored their two autis- tic children, and now have room for four orphan piglets at a time. Tanya (43) said: “This is the lull
before the storm.” And, with the population in na-
tional decline, anything that can be done to rescue the many hedge- hogs that would otherwise perish as a result of being abandoned, hit by a car, or hurt in our gardens by strimmers and bonfires, is ex- tremely worthwhile and reward- ing. Tanya said: “We have learned
how to look after these vulnerable creatures over many years as mem- bers of the Hedgehog Preservation Society. They are quite difficult to rear, and because so many are found when they are already very ill, they have only a 50% survival rate.”
The couple expect to be kept
busy throughout the breeding sea- son, which runs from April to Sep- tember – a particularly risky time for orphans left stranded when their mums go into hibernation. Tanya said: “Hedgehogs can
have two or three litters a year and when the weather is warm, these can arrive as late as September, often without time to reach a mini- mumweight of 600g to survive the winter. That’s when we find our- selves particularly busy.” A tell-tell sign of a sick or aban- doned hedgehog is that they will be
Shane and Tanya, and above, a baby hedgehog
out and about, uncharacteristically, during daylight hours. Tanya said: “We advise people
that if the hedgehog is hurt, they should take it to their vet because they have a code of conduct to treat all wildlife as best they can free, or to contact rescue centres like us.” She says the public should not
feed hedgehogs bread,milk, fish or fish-flavoured food. Instead, they should offer meat or poultry- flavoured cat or dog food and plain water. Tanya can be reached on 07817 912984.
News Chairman call
ANEWchairman is being sought by HuntonVillage Club as Phil Nichols, who has held the voluntary role for many years, would like to step down. The position takes about five
hours a month. Phil is happy to con- tinue with much of his voluntary work at the club and offer support to his successor. The social club has 180 members
and its own premises used by the community for various functions. Call Phil on 10622 820804 or email
pk.nichols@
btinternet.com.
Nesting boxes NEWnestboxes in the churchyard at East Farleigh are a popular addition. They were bought by The Village
Fete Committee for the birds, and residents have enjoyed watching their comings and goings. Two of the boxes are close to the
bus stop – one in the yew to the left and another on the yew to the right of the lychgate.
Plant show THERE IS a chance to buy plants from top growers in Headcorn at the Gardeners’ Society Spring Show. Doors open at Headcorn Village
Hall at 2pm on Saturday, April 22. Admission is free, and there are re- freshments and a raffle.
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