Raking:
The churchyard’s final cut of the year may have happened by the time you read this, but it’s anyone’s guess at the time of writing! We are in touch with Cormac and will post any updates on our website, but as things stand we will not be able to run our usual raking day.
Hedgehogs:
There’s been some suggestion on social media that you can help hedgehogs by putting out your Halloween pumpkin waste for them. While it is a lovely sentiment, it unfortunately causes diarrhoea in hedgehogs as they can’t digest it, leading to dehydration and weight loss just as they need to be gaining weight for hibernation. Halloween is done for this year, but it’s something to bear it in mind for the future.
You can help hedgehogs reach a safe hibernation weight before late December by putting out a shallow dish of fresh water and some tinned dog or cat food – some rescues recommend kitten biscuits.
You may want to think about a cat-proof hedgehog feeding station if you have pets. I’ve added a link for a simple DIY version on our Facebook page and on the home page here.
The other way to help hedgehogs find food by is by leaving some areas of wilderness with long grass, dead wood and leaves so hedgehogs can forage for bugs and grubs. This is what we’ve been doing in the churchyard, and the resident hedgehog population seems to be happily thriving and expanding into neighbouring gardens.
Dog fouling:
Despite repeated pleas from us and notices on the gates from the PCC, we are still picking up dog poo from the path through the churchyard nearly every single day, and it is not on. Please respect that this is consecrated ground and take responsibility for your own animal – it is deeply upsetting for people visiting graves and deeply unpleasant for the people having to clean up after you.
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