Here are some simple tips to help them.

1. Link your garden with a Hedgehog Highway. Hedgehogs travel between1-2 km a night searching for food and a mate. Leaving a small gap in your fence the size of a CD case will let hedgehogs through but be too small for pets. BHPT/PTES sell snazzy little recyclable Hedgehog Highway signs, for a few pounds. Ask your neighbours to do the same!

2. Create a wild corner in your garden so they can snuffle around for insects.

3. Tidy up netting and litter which can trap hedgehogs due to their spines. Even rubber bands dropped by the postie can become embedded in their skin, causing a slow, painful death.

4. Put out food and water. You can supplement their diet with wet dog or cat food (preferably not fish based). No bread, milk or mealworms, which are all extremely bad for them. For those who are into simple DIY you can make a feeding station to stop other animals having a free supper - details on the BHPS website/YouTube

5. Stop using chemicals especially slug pellets. Hedgehogs are a gardener’s best friend as they eat slugs as well as many other beasties which would otherwise be devouring your prize flowers and vegetables.​

Robert

A lady contacted our church and asked us if we could help in any way to save hedgehogs, by giving you advice for your garden and puting up an "awwwe" picture.

Isn't he gorgeous?                                                                          They are an endangered species so let's help them.

​​​

YOU?

                                                             

                 September 2026 - Gnome Report

 

     Hello my fellow Worshippers and welcome to your September 
Gnome Report. While there has not been a lot happening on the
Maintenance side of Gnome life within the Church, it doesn’t mean the
Gnomes have been slumming it. The gardens still have to be maintained,
Weeding still has to be done, summer bedding plants have been put in
And bulbs removed and stored as required for the Autumn.

The Sunday School raised garden area has had wildflowers put in it and is looking
Vibrant right now.

The footpath areas have weed killer sprayed on them as required,

and of course the grass is cut whenever necessary.

      The clothing bank is another endeavour the Garden Gnomes keep on top
Of, it requires to be checked to ensure any clothing is the appropriate type,
and anything that shouldn’t be there is removed, everything else is bagged
and when the banks are full, the company is contacted for clothing to be     

uplifted, maximising the financial return for the Church.

     The Allan Church is looking forward to exciting times with the expected arrival of the Rev David Hood sometime in September.
As part of the preparations for the Ministers arrival, the garage at
the Manse had some rotten wood around the window and the single

wooden door, similar to what had happened with some of the Church
windows not too long ago. Our joiner friend was contacted and again
he rose to the challenge, all the rotten wood was replaced, a first coat
of paint was put on to protect the wood as it was being replaced and then
sealed to protect from the weather. All in one day.

The gnomes also assisted others with removing hedges from the side and
front of the House. The Garage vehicle access door(metal) requires to be
repainted and, when weather permits, this will be done before the Minister
takes up post. The new wood will all have to be painted again, along with
the shed and access door to the rear of the garage.
Weather permitting and all the Gnomes being available this will hopefully
all be done on the one day.

There are other things needing done in the manse which will be dealt with
by others which I’m sure you will be made aware of in due course.

     As usual, there will be other things the gnomes get up to when no-one
is looking which will have slipped my mind.

Just had a scary thought, we’re now on the slippy slopes towards Autumn

and all that brings, Namely Remembrance, when the gnomes will place

red filters over the Outside lights.

       We’ll need to keep that in mind but for now, as usual, if anyone wants
to join the Gnomes then come along on a Wednesday afternoon, we all
have talents and I’m sure the gnomes will find a job for yours.

I hope you have all had a very enjoyable summer holiday, until the next

Gnome Report (December), I’ll shut up.

Phil Jordan. (Junior Gnome).

 

      

  

    

    

Phil

George

The BOSS

Colin