Having just bought a new lawnmower I've become very keen on tidying up the garden. The neatly cut lawn hasn't made me go mad with the strimmer, though, because I've seen the results of strimmer injuries.
Hedgehogs nest underneath hedges and in overgrown parts of the garden - just the places where a strimmer is most handy. If you don't check carefully before you start work you won't know the little creature is there until you have injured it.
Strimmer injuries are dreadful. Strimmers don't just cut the grass, they sever legs, slash bellies, and destroy little eyes.
Please look before you strim. Nobody wants to hurt a hedgehog.
Many of your readers will know of the existence of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society. Others may be interested in its aims:
(1) To encourage and give advice to the public about the care of Hedgehogs, particularly when injured, sick, orphaned, treated cruelly or in any danger.
(2) To encourage the younger generation to value and respect our natural wildlife and, by supplying information and giving lectures, to foster their interest in Hedgehogs.
(3) To fund serious research into the behavioural habits of Hedgehogs and to ascertain the best methods of assisting their survival.
Anyone who wishes to learn more about the Society, its activities and the wide range of Hedgehog goods which are sold should send a stamped addressed envelope to the address below.
AH COLES
British Hedgehog Preservation Society,
Knowbury House,
Shropshire.SY8 3LQ