Hedgehog Hospital

Hedgehog Hospital, Authorpe, Lincolnshire.


First of all, where to find it.

Authorpe rates one line in Wikipedia: Authorpe is a village north west of Alford, Lincolnshire, England lying between the A16 road and the A157 road. It has a chapel, and former brickpits.

Frankly I’m surprised it rates a mention it is so tiny, the parish all of 941 acres. In 1931 the population was 112, probably not much more now judging by the number of houses. The only access I know is by car. There is a sign directing you to the hedgehog hospital but you have to look for it. Then you follow a vey narrow road which is not well signposted. Most of the time there is no on to ask either but it is well worth it when you get there. Be prepared for a higgledy piggledy state of affairs. It is not a pristine antiseptic world. The sign says it all.

This is the third time I’ve visited. The first time I was startled to see the coutnry lanes in front of the hedghog hospital filled with bikers. They raise money and were due there the following weekend. I've always been sorry I didn't photograph the sight.

This visit was the saddest. The place is running down. The little hedgehog footprints painted on the path are fading, the owner weary and limping. However her enthusiasm for hedgehogs continues to burn very brightly. She is totally dedicated to rescuing hedgehogs from the effects of indiscriminate spraying by council workers, inadvertent spearings by enthusiastic compost turning, over friendly dogs etc.

What are hedgehogs? (Taken from a website about hedgehogs)

There are some 15 species of hedgehog in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Hedgehogs have also been introduced into nontraditional ranges such as New Zealand (none in Australia). The hedgehog was named because of its peculiar foraging methods. These animals root through hedges and other undergrowth in search of the small creatures that compose the bulk of their diet—insects, worms, centipedes, snails, mice, frogs, and snakes. As a hedgehog picks its way through the hedges it emits piglike grunts—thus, the hedgehog.

Some people consider hedgehogs useful pets because they prey on many common garden pests. While on the hunt, they rely upon their senses of hearing and smell because their eyesight is weak.

We saw them in the garden regularly as kids but I fear they are not as plentiful now.

Click on Elaine Drewery’s annual newsletter online and you will see for yourself how devoted she is. But it has not been updated since 2004, possibly a sign she is not keeping up. http://www.hedgehogcare.org.uk/05_hedgehog_care_rescue_sanctuary_about_us.htm

The website below describes it as a ‘Famous little hospital, self-funded, not very posh!’

http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/popiOrgVenue.asp?vid=334

Elaine showed us some of the long term residents in the Oliver Brown ward who would not be able to survive on their own, one blind, one without a snout, a few with missing legs. Then she took us to the intensive care unit. I was both horrified and moved. All the chairs in her small living room are taken up with boxes of hedgehogs being nursed from the brink of death. She lovingly takes some of them out and shows them off, each one named, and describes their mishaps and treatment, comprising round the clock antibiotics and cleaning of snouts, squeezing of abscesses etc. (One abscess needed urgent attention while we were there) A coal fire burned in the grate guaranteeing warmth for her little charges but uncomfortable for visitors.

While we were there a local couple brought in a new case. Elaine immediately spotted his poor colour and shortness of breath. He was destined for intensive care. Nevertheless he headed for the nearest underbrush when she took him out of the box.

The hedgehogs she receives now will stay with her through the hibernating months of winter then she rehabilitates those more able back into the countryside. A local woman has 33 acres of land, and takes  a few each year, gradually weaning them off their canned cat food until they can forage sufficiently for themselves.

Of course some hedgehogs don’t get this far. If Elaine sees a hedgehog nearing the end she feeds him or her a last supper. Mind you, one or two have had last suppers and are still surviving, although they cannot return to the wild. There is a hedgehog cemetery in the back of the property and a memorial to them.

If anyone deserves a medal it is Elaine but, in her own words, she is looked upon as a crank and a nuisance. She believes hedgehogs have as much right to exist in this world as humans. Who can argue with that? I hope she gets enough help and money to continue her work. Maybe the single winner of this weekend's 112 million pound Euro Lottery could throw a million or two her way.



memorial to hedgehogs