Major Adrian Coles MBE, who became nationally known as Major Hedgehog, founded the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) in 1982 and was instrumental in giving the hedgehog the high profile that it now enjoys. We continue to work tirelessly to improve awareness of the plight of the hedgehog.

It all began when Adrian found a hedgehog in a cattle grid on his land; he rescued it using a saucepan and then realised that if there hadn’t been a Major on hand with kitchenalia, the hedgehog would not have survived! He used his position as a County Councillor at the time to get Shropshire Council to install escape ramps in all its grids. The resulting publicity was so vast that he realised there was a great appetite to help the humble hedgehog in the UK; and so, the Society was founded.

On our 40^th birthday, we are asking people to grant some hedgehoggy birthday wishes!

• Make Hedgehog Highways in fences – 5” x 5” (13 x 13cm) square gaps in the bottom of fences or walls should do it! Once created you can log these on the BIG Hedgehog Map at www.bighedgehogmap.org

• Create an undisturbed log pile that will offer shelter and food.

• Buy or build a Hedgehog Home (see plans here or contact us for a paper copy).

• Offer water and meaty cat or dog food for hedgehogs – you can even build a feeding station to help keep the food safe (see plans here or contact us for a paper copy)

• Check areas carefully before mowing or strimming.

• Ditch pesticides and poisons.

• Ensure there is an easy route out of ponds and pools.

• Create a wild corner – leave a corner or edge to go wild, supplying shelter and natural food for hedgehogs in the form of bugs and grubs!

• Join BHPS (or if you are already a supporter – recruit someone else). Prices start at just £7.50 for an individual UK supporter!

Fay Vass, our Chief Executive said “Hedgehogs are struggling and mostly that’s due to human activity; these small actions can help a great deal – a little effort from each of us could make life a lot easier for hedgehogs! If you don’t have a garden yourself, you can still help by contacting public space managers, neighbours, family and friends to ensure they are doing their bit.” 

Hedgehog Awareness Week runs from 1^st – 7^th May 2022, it is organised by the BHPS and takes place every year. It aims to highlight the problems hedgehogs face and how you can help them, find out more by following us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.