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21pages of
summer
fashion starting from the 1940’s
August 2020
ÂŁ2.45
Justice for
Julius Jones Farage, Brexit
and a political revolution
The story of
Buttercup the rescue horse
Lancashire light pollution
The fight for our green space continues
A Life with
Hedgehogs Tips for stressed men
A Life With Hedgehogs Only a few years ago, the founder of Hedgehog Rescue Blackpool, Mrs. Jean Turner, had a conservatory in which to sit and enjoy her back garden.
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ne evening, she saw a mother hedgehog with 3 hoglets in her front garden, and shortly after that sighting, Jean’s sister arrived on her doorstep with a hedgehog for safe release in the large back garden, followed by a friend who had a tiny hoglet, 3 weeks old, weighing 82g. The foundations of Hedgehog Rescue Blackpool were lain. Many books on hedgehog care later, and with the release of the hoglet, called Eric, in the garden, Jean decided to empty the conservatory and turn it into a hedgehog hospital. Out came the furniture, in went surgical pods, hutches, and all that would be needed to care for injured and sick hedgehogs. In the first years, Jean nursed many tiny hoglets into adulthood and release, although like all rescues, not all survived. Each and every loss is felt deeply and Jean wont mind me telling you that she cries over every little body. Jeans conservatory can now nurse 30 hedgehogs, and outside there is room for more! The hen run is now a secure outdoor but under cover space, the end of the garden is an open to the air run, and there are hutches against almost every wall. The construction of the runs has been done by volunteer David, who also has some 16 hedgehogs in his care, and who will collect injured/sick little ones, take them to and from the vet, and also check release sites for the hedgehogs.
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How can you help hedgehogs?
Water. Water is the most important thing that you can provide for hedgehogs. Shallow bowls so that any hoglets won’t drown. If you have a pond, make certain that there is an easy escape area – a plank of wood, a few blocks of stone, Hedgehogs can swim but if they cannot get out of the water, they will drown. Chicken kitten biscuits. Hedgehogs love chicken kitten
biscuits. Put the food under a covering which cat’s cannot enter! An old storage box with a hole in it is ideal.
Slug Pellets. NO. If a slug is poisoned by slug pellets and the hedgehog eats the slug, it gets poisoned. Even the so called ‘safe’ slug pellets are lethal to hedgehogs. Please avoid them all. Low netting. Hedgehogs get trapped in netting and can break or dislocate limbs when trying to escape. Leave at least 4 inches between the ground and the bottom of netting. Remove football nets every night. Elastic bands/plastic used to keep cans together. Always
pick up elastic bands as hedgehogs get encircled in them and can lose limbs or die. Hedgehogs get caught up in all kinds of litter and rubbish. Pick it up.
A life with hedgehogs. Far richer than a life without hedgehogs, and with the current decline in their numbers, how tragic it would be if future generations could only see live hedgehogs in a zoo. Everyone needs to play their part in helping these spiney creatures remain living wild and free.
An invalueable and dedicated worker, handily living only around the corner from Jean. This year has sadly been particularly bad for hedgehog injuries. They have arrived with horrendous wounds, broken limbs and starving. One little hedgehog was so hungry that it had been eating soil, and its mouth was full of compacted soil which had to be gently syringed out before actual nourishment could be given. Luckily, the rescue’s veterinary practice is wonderful. They are learning about hedgehogs with each one taken to them, they have never turned one away, and the trust between Jean and the practice is total. They know that Jean never puts a hedgehog to sleep unless it is absolutely vital. The rescue is able to give long term care to each patient if necessary, although the majority of hedgehogs are released at the very earliest opportunity to prevent stress. Last year the rescue became a registered charity and took in 545 hedgehogs. With the help of a band of dedicated volunteers and helpers, it coped. This year, with Covid 19, it has been challenging, but all obstacles have been overcome. There have been a lot of little ones needing hand feeding every 2 hours – a continuous round of hand feeding into little open mouths for Jean. www.lancmag.com
Hedgehog Highways. Hedgehogs need to roam, so make little cd sized holes at the bottom of fences so that they can go in and out of your neighbours gardens. Don’t pollute the puddles. Hedgehogs drink from puddles, so things like anti freeze and screen wash pollute them and poison hedgehogs. Make sure you don’t allow any drops of these liquids to fall onto the floor. NO MILK. NO MEALWORMS. NO BREAD.
The public seem more aware of the plight of the hedgehog these days and they will not hesitate to telephone for advice is there is a problem, if they see a hedgehog out during daylight hours, or if they see an injured animal. The earlier a hedgehog is found, the earlier a hedgehog can be given expert care, then the more likely it will be to survive. People who bring hedgehogs to the rescue are always asked whether they would like to give the animal a name. People who bring in hedgehogs love to follow their progress, so having a name helps Jean to identify which animal is being asked about. If a hedgehog dies, the person who took the care to take it to the rescue will be telephoned and informed. Hedgehog Rescue is now a registered charity. Number 1188161. You can donate on our Just Giving page. If you find a hedgehog and you live outside of the Blackpool area, please go to our web page:- hedgehogrescueblackpool.com and it will take you to a comprehensive list of rescue centres. Follow us on Facebook:- hedgehog rescue blackpool. If you live in Blackpool, ring Jean 07577010011
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Spike weighed in at 96g. Just 96g. I have never had such a small little animal in my care, and it scared the lights out of me. First thing in the morning, Spike and Dennis were cuddled up together, so Jean decided that I could hang onto him and we would see if he thrived. Puppy milk every 4 hours (ever tried milking a puppy? They just don’t stand still!!), weigh regularly, make sure little guy poos and wees, make sure he is warm enough – worry, worry, worry…..
Spike 20 July 2019 In Hedgehog Rescue all over the country, and in Europe, it has been a demoralising few weeks, with little wombles failing to recover from the conditions which brought them to us. Most do make a full recovery, but as I said last week, it is the little ones who don’t who you remember most. After losing Isla and Denver, I was still questioning everything I did (and didn’t) do whilst they were in my care, when on Tuesday evening a phone call came through on our land line. A couple had found a baby hedgehog just about to dive off the kerb onto the road, and had picked him up. In the background, I could hear angry little squeaks from said hedgehog, so asked that he be brought here so that I could at least get fluid into him. 15 minutes later a still squeaking – well, actually he was giving it all his little lungs could muster and it was quite a resonating sound – Spike arrived in a shoe box with a lovely young couple who had been really worried about what to do when they found him. Within another couple of minutes, they had headed home, armed with our phone number, to check whether mum was in the vicinity, or other little siblings were out on their own, and also to check on Spike at any time, and I was heating up some puppy milk to syringe feed to the tiny little guy. After guzzling down warm and comforting milk, Spike did a large poo, and then settled down beside Dennis who, as you know, lost his brother Denver a few days ago. Dennis was the hedgehog nearest to the weight of Spike, and I had separated him from Barney the day before as the two weren’t seeing eye to eye in the same hutch. 10
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Yesterday Spike felt a little bit cold, and it is vital that they retain body warmth, so I nipped out to the chemist and bought a hot water bottle, filled it about a quarter, wrapped it in a large towel, and popped Spike on top of it, and covered him with a fleece. 4 hours later, there he still was, a complete sphere of spikes, gently snoring, with a smile on his face. Seemed a shame to waken him, but he had to have his milk, so I picked him up and wafted the syringe full of warm milk under his nose. Gradually it began to move. Up, down, sideways, trying to locate the source. Then his tiny little tongue appeared and his jaws began that sucking motion – so present syringe and see the milk disappear. He loves his milk. His little front feet paddle the air as he sucks and his eyes shine with, I hope, contentment. It is very early days for Spike. This morning he was 111g, so heading in the right direction, but he has a long road ahead of him if he is going to become a fully grown hedgehog, free and happy. Things can change in a heartbeat. I tell you this, I am kept busy with Spike. One little hedgehog amongst my larger ones – some of whom give cause for concern by not putting on weight and some of whom are eating for England – and I realise just how stressed Jean must be caring for so many of similar weight. They all get the same loving attention, the same warm milk and care. She is momma to so many and not one gets less care than the other. She deserves a big round of applause. As to all the Hedgehog Rescue carers who give their time, their love and their commitment every single day of every single year. Thank you for being there in this crazy world. More news of Spike will follow. Sweet Dreams Little Boy 23 July 2019 Last night, snuggled into my bra, belly full of warm milk, Spike went over Rainbow Bridge, joining Isla and Denver. Whilst he had been gaining grams each night, and eagerly guzzling down puppy milk and puppy mousse, on Sunday I found him twice off his hot water bottle – which was wrapped in Egyptian Cotton pale green hand towels for complete safety – and in the open of the hutch, not near the straw or the hay rack and well away from Dennis. This is never a good sign, and every time I popped my little womble back under the straw, within half an hour, he was out again. Yesterday I wasn’t certain that I would find him alive, but there he was, actually tucked into Dennis. Then at intervals www.lancmag.com
throughout the day, there he was, out in the open again. At 7pm I got Spike’s puppy milk ready and picked him up, wrapped him in a soft towel, and tried to feed him. For the first time, he was reluctant to feed, so rather than force feed him (how can people eat pate knowing that geese have been force fed to get fatty livers which make the horrible stuff?) I tucked him into my bra and rocked him gently, patting his back and humming to him. At 10 past 8, he left the world with a gently sigh. I kept hold of him for 20 or so minutes, just to make absolutely certain that he wasn’t playing tricks on me, that he wouldn’t suddenly open his eyes and give me a big Spike stare, but my heart knew that he wouldn’t. He had joined Isla and Denver at Rainbow Bridge. move to the next emergency whilst grieving the loss of a little soul who has touched them in many ways. Everyone in animal rescue does. Wild animals, domestic animals, birds and fish, they have less life span than humans, so if we are connected to them, we have to face their loss. In rescue more than in domestic life as we have more in our care. But be in no doubt whatsoever, we mourn every single life that we lose. Every single one. Years later, we can give you the names of each one. To-day is another day and Jean has several very sick hedgehogs who might go to the Bridge to-day. Remember her when you say your prayers to whichever God you love. Thank you for being there in this sad, crazy world. And for caring about Spike. RIP.
Ethan
Even meals of the highest quality, served fresh twice a day, failed to impress Ethan, although he seldom left the tiniest of nugget in his dish. So once Ethan reached 650g, David was urged to find a good home to release him into, although I doubt that Ethan will stay very long no matter what luxury accommodation is on offer. To-day was release day. I had told Ethan last night that he had only 1 more sleep before he would be free but again yesterday, as for the past several days, Ethan persisted in trying to dig an escape tunnel. I nicknamed him Steve McQueen, but I had to check several times a day that he wasn’t actually stuck anywhere and trying to free himself (straw being twisted and entangling him as he dug) and also that he had done no damage to his nails or teeth by the constant use of them against plastic. I was taking Ethan and the lovely Dennis – you remember Dennis, he was Denver’s brother – to Jean so that David could pick them up and take them to the release site. 12noon. High Noon! Into a large cardboard box went Nathan and his nest. Folded the flaps at the top over to secure him, and popped him onto the side board whilst I went for Dennis. The box, naturally, had air holes therein, and my heart sank somewhat when I saw Ethan’s nose appear out of one of them, followed by the now familiar gnawing at the sides of the hole. Ethan wanted out. I speedily boxed up the very good Dennis and put the pair of them into the boot for the short drive to Jeans. All the way I could hear Ethan gnawing and scratching at his escape air hole. At Jeans there was a goodly portion of Ethan’s nose visable, so I warned her that he was a man on a mission and to keep an eye on him. In the time it took us to box up little Elim to come home with me, still more of Ethan’s nose was out of his box. So we put the box into a hutch, the same kind as I have here with the wire roof and plastic bottom, but much smaller than the ones the hedgehogs live in. We watched as Ethan worked away at his hole.
27 August 2019 Ethan is a little hedgehog who came to me about 2 weeks ago having finished his meds and simply needing to grow into his spikey jacket before being big enough to release. From the beginning, Ethan hated being in a hutch. He was in the second largest you can buy – Wobble Towers being the largest and imported from Denmark – in the UK so he wasn’t at all confined for space. But he always tried to make good his escape. Whenever I took him out to weigh him, I had to keep him covered in a red and white checked tea towel with my hand on him, which I would briefly lift, look at his weight, and then place back onto him. Leaving him unattended resulted in his mad dash for freedom out of the bowl on the scales and in whichever direction he felt he could escape in. www.lancmag.com
I had to get back home with Elim, so left Jean to watch and see if Ethan did escape out of the cardboard box, although he would then be contained in the other hutch which would have really frustrated him. Got a text a few minutes ago. ‘Ethan managed to get half of his body out and was then wedged, so David had to cut the box open. Ethan was not amused that he couldn’t get his belly out of the hole (that will teach him not to pig out). Wish I’d taken a photo.’ I reckon that Ethan has just the right genes to pass on to future generations of hedgehogs – but I would like some warning if his offspring find their way to rescue next year so that I can reinforce their hutch. I am sure that Ethan and his offspring will lead, shall we say, eventful lives. Live long and prosper, Ethan. Thank you for being there in this crazy world. LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 11
Lockdown lesson for government: over two thirds of people in the North West want to see their local green space enhanced • 75% of adults living in the North West think their local green space, or nearby countryside, could be enhanced; • Majority of these would like to see a greater variety of plant life (54%) and more wildlife (51%) in their local green space; • CPRE, the countryside charity and the HomeOwners Alliance are calling for the government to go further to protect and enhance local green spaces so that everyone has easy access from their doorsteps.
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s lockdown in England eases and many venture out into their local green spaces, new research has found 75 % of people living in the North West think their local green spaces, including the countryside next door to where they live, could be enhanced. Commissioned by CPRE, the countryside charity and the HomeOwners Alliance, and carried out on-line by YouGov as the lockdown started, the research shows that the majority of people living in the North West believe the variety of plant life (51%) and increasing the amount of wildlife (51%) and are top ways in which their local green spaces can be improved. During lockdown, we have seen a surge in appreciation for local green spaces and a heightened awareness of their role in boosting our physical and mental health and wellbeing[1]. For the one in eight households who do not have access to their own garden, accessible shared or public green spaces are all the more important[2]. CPRE, the countryside charity and the HomeOwners Alliance believe that everyone should have easy access to quality green spaces from their doorsteps and the government should go further to protect and enhance these spaces. Today’s results show that the public agree, and those who were in favour of enhancements in the North West would like to see:
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1. More and a greater variety of trees, shrubs, hedgerows, plants and flowers (54%) 2. More wildlife including birds, butterflies and bees; (51%) 3. Signposted walks in the countryside/ green space (43%) 4. More facilities (e.g. café, toilets, seating, etc.) (36%) and; 5. Better maintenance (e.g. paths maintained, trees pruned, lawns cut, etc.) (34%)
Crispin Truman, chief executive of CPRE, the countryside charity, said: ‘Access to quality local green spaces has hurtled up the agenda as a political issue and for good reason. As lockdown eases, many people are turning to their local patch of green as a place to meet family and friends, subject of course to social distancing, as well as their daily dose of exercise and nature. We’ve been championing local countryside and green spaces for nearly a century, believing they are vital for our health and wellbeing – a natural health service as they’re now being called.
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‘But not everyone has access to green spaces and too many have been lost as the countryside next door to our largest towns and cities faces mounting pressure for development. If the government is serious about learning the lessons of the pandemic, it must use upcoming planning reforms to protect these precious spaces and recognise their value as a natural health service, as we do. But we can’t stop there - by properly investing in our green spaces we can make these spaces easily accessible to more people and invite wildlife like birds, butterflies and bees back.’
Paula Higgins, Chief Executive of Homeowners Alliance, said: ‘Now that people are allowed to move, new build homes and those with nearby green space are becoming more popular. There is a real opportunity for developers and government to create quality green spaces; and this is much more than a patch of lawn. Planning reform should ensure that green spaces are not considered to be an afterthought or a nice extra given the positive role they can play in people’s lives.’
The full set of results can be found here: https://bit.ly/36Gm1Md
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Star Count shows almost 80% of local participants live in areas with severe light pollution
• In February CPRE, the countryside charity, asked the nation to count the number of stars visible in the Orion constellation. • More than 2,400 people took part and the results show that for most of us, light pollution is blocking our view of the night sky. • In Lancashire, Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester, 78.4% of people taking part counted ten stars or fewer, meaning they were in an area with severe light pollution. The number counting ten stars or fewer nationally was 61%, an increase from 57% last year. • CPRE, along with the British Astronomical Association’s Commission for Dark Skies, say that councils must act on light pollution so more people can enjoy starry skies. 40
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his February more than 2,400 people across the country took part in a star counting survey run by CPRE, the countryside charity. By counting the number of stars visible in the constellation of Orion, it helps build up a picture of the nation’s views of the night sky.
CPRE believes that a star filled night sky is one of the most magical sights of the countryside. And throughout the coronavirus outbreak lockdown, gazing up at the stars will have brought comfort to many during an extremely difficult time. Yet light pollution can spread from towns and cities into the countryside, denying many people the chance to experience the wonder and tranquillity of seeing a sky full of stars. The results of this citizen science survey, carried out annually, suggest that across the UK, 61% of people are in areas with severe light pollution, counting fewer than ten stars. This is a rise of 4% from last year, when 57% of people taking part were in these areas. CPRE Lancashire, Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester organised a stargazing event with astronomer Robert Ince in January 2020, and participants were amazed at the truly dark skies in the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which is now recognised as a Dark Skies Discovery Site. The contrast between this area and the rest of the county is striking. CPRE chief executive Crispin Truman said: ‘Gazing up at the heavens can inspire and help lift our spirits, especially when many of us are forced to do so from within our homes at the moment. It is a shame that few of us can see the starry skies in all their glory, without the intrusion of light pollution.’ There was some good news at the other end of the scale, with 3% of people counting more than 30 stars within Orion, meaning that they were in areas with truly dark skies. That’s a rise from 2% in 2019, although in Lancashire, Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester only 2% of respondents saw truly dark skies. Families who took part and were able to see plenty of stars on the night of their count reported how much they loved the experience. In addition, 99% of star-counters asked said they believed that every child should be able to experience the wonder of a star-filled night sky. Bob Mizon from the British Astronomical Association’s Commission for Dark Skies (CfDS) said ‘It’s wonderful to hear about families having fun doing the Star Count. Children should be able to see the Milky Way, their own galaxy, by looking up at the sky, not looking online!’ CPRE and CfDS believe that councils have the power to give people better views of the night sky. And when asked, 82% of star-counters responding to a survey said their local council should do more to tackle light pollution. Crispin added: ‘We’d like to see councils adopting better policies in local plans to tackle light pollution and protect and enhance our darkest skies, where people can still experience the wonder of a star filled night sky. There are straightforward steps councils can take, in consultation with local people, that don’t just reduce light pollution but save energy and money too.’
The map showing the results of CPRE’s Star Count 2020 is online here: cpre.org.uk/starcountresults www.lancmag.com
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Betty Sun Top Cover Girl Pink - £75 Button Betty Skirt Cover Girl Pink - £89 Shorts Cover Girl Pink - £75 www.lancmag.com
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Show us your Pets
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ith the recent rise in people working from home we want to see what you and your new fuzzy coworkers are getting up to. Send us your photos for a chance to be featured in our ‘Show us your Pets’ feature - the best one each month will win a free years subscription to the magazine, the photos will be judged by our editor Mew Dairy, pictured below.
Email your pet photos to Mew at info@lancashiremagazine.co.uk - marking the subject as ‘Show Us Your Pets’
Sue Gerrard, ThorntonCleveleys, in isolation with Norman the Chameleon who’s observing her making her lunch ...... no locusts in there Norman
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Sharon Henry, Bispham, trying to meet deadlines with Millie the French Bulldog wanting all her attention, now Izzy the German Shepherd wants to join in Leanne Ball, Blackpool runs a dog walking and home boarding business but was in isolation when lockdown began so Bella, her beautiful Cocker Spaniel is getting all the hugs and kisses ..... one happy Spaniel Everything up and running now, so Bella cannot wait to see some new playmates.
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