I have recently discovered there is a group in Northumberland called "Blyth Wildlife Rescue", although its members are spread around beyond the immediate environs of Blyth. It consists mostly of volunteers who act as contacts, fostercarers etc for any and all animals in trouble, not just wildlife. They are caring for various creatures at the moment ranging from rabbits, nestlings and hedgehogs, to a seal pup.
They advise anyone seeing a hedgehog out in the daytime to get in touch as this can indicate illness. They will give advice to anyone wishing to look after it themselves, or they will pick it up as soon as possible, to give it expert treatment.
At the moment Veterinarians are not required by the Government to treat wildlife free of charge, but the Rescue Service is trying to change that by petitioning. It costs the Service a lot of hard cash to look after suffering animals, and that doesn't take into account the many hours and expenses of volunteers given freely. They rely on donations and fundraising events for most of their revenue. Anyone wishing to get in touch for information or to make a donation can go to the www.blythwildliferescue.co.uk/
I was very impressed by the speed of their response and their caring attitude recently when I found on two separate occasions a very young dehydrated hedgehog and a strange looking nestling in my garden.
The Walk from Blyth to Whitley Bay on Sunday 3.7.11 in aid of Alzheimer's Research was a huge success. Over £1,000 was raised so far by the walkers who all work at Blyth Iceland Shop. It exceeded their expectations and spokesperson Rowan Edwards said he was overwhelmed by the generous response from the public.
Some of the walkers were in fancy dress, one braving the heat of the day, wearing a rat costume to attract attention. Iceland Shops will continue to collect for the Alzheimer's Association until September this year. Other events are planned including a raffle and a walk from Bamburgh to Holy Island in August, which will include walkers from other Iceland Shops.
A group of workers from Blyth Iceland Shop are undertaking to walk all the way from Blyth to Whitley Bay and back in aid of a very worthy cause on Sunday 3.7.11.
They hope to raise at least £500 for Alzheimer's Research. Spokesperson Rowan Edwards said they would be popping into pubs along the way, so dig deep into your pockets.
Some of the group will be taking part in another walk later this year, in August, also for Alzheimer's, from Bamburgh to Holy Island.
There seems to have been an upsurge in backyard hen keeping as a hobby. A quick glance at websites devoted to hen keeping will show that it becoming very popular not only with allottment holders, but with a variety of people who are looking for the "Good Life".
Hens make excellent pets for children and having the easy responsibility of looking after them teaches them respect for living creatures.
As summer progresses, and gardening is underway in earnest, don't forget to check for hedgehogs hiding in your bonfire heaps. It only takes a minute to poke through it gently with a stick and root out any sleepy hog unwise enough to camp there.
Most gardens have at least one hedgehog in residence. The old advice of leaving out bread and milk for your prickly visitors has been discovered to be harmful to them. Instead leave out fresh water and a small dish of cat or dogfood. Be aware that this can encourage rodents and clear up any uneaten food. The hogs will eat up slugs and snails in your garden so don't put slug pellets down in case you poison your nocturnal pet. Children of all ages love to discover a hedgehog is living so secretly and quietly in their garden and it is a magical moment when your hog reveals himself fleetingly from time to time.
Thousands of carers and volunteers were invited by the Duchess of Northumberland to a Garden Party at Alnwick Gardens on the 22.6.11. They were promised that VIPs would be attending. Just prior to the event it was revealed on the invitation cards it would be Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.
On the day, which started very wet and soggy, people came from all over Northumberland, clutching umbrellas and plastic macs. A downpour was not going to stop people from wearing their finery and fascinators. Local schoolchildren waited patiently with their teachers and everyone was buzzing with excitement, gently easing themselves into what they thought would be the best vantage points.
Blyth Links
Wildlife - With Conservation Officer Kevin O'Hara
Ronnie Campbell - MP for Blyth Valley
Blyth Valley Scouts - Stu Bennett
Alan Hoyle - Basketball and local news
Blyth All-Weather Lifeboat - Barry Elliott
Jo Edwards - Local issues and news
John Dawson - History tales
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