YOUR LETTERS
HAVE YOUR SAY ON RURAL ISSUES
Have your say on rural issues.
MOUSE RESCUE
We were tidying up outside and lifted up a sheet of tarpaulin. I found four baby field mice. The mother, who we had also found, had sadly died. We gave the mice some water and put them into our spare rabbit hut to rest.
The next day we buried the mother and put some new shavings down for her little ones. We decided to let them rest another day as they were so tired. We gave them some fresh water and food. I had to cover them up with shavings as they were shaking. They were so cute. Before we went to bed, we checked on them again. The biggest one was up and eating.
The following day we put them into an airy box. They were ready to be released and we let them out under a bush. I was sad to see them go and that their mum had died but I was happy that they were back where they belong. Megan Hay (11) Wakefield
CRICKET CRUELTY
While flicking through the July issue of BBC Countryfile Magazine, I was a little dismayed to read Adam’s piece ‘Adam’s animals’. He talked about his visit to Thringill Farm, which has taken up edible cricket breeding, and the “more
than a million crickets, jumping around in cardboard tubes in plastic crates, in a space no larger than a conservatory”. The debate about animal sentience is still on the table, but however sentient crickets may be, I would argue that this doesn’t sound like a good life for a cricket. At the end they are “processed”, which includes drying (presumably while they’re still alive). I was disappointed to see that Adam failed to even acknowledge there may be welfare implications to farming these creatures. Is no species safe? Jill Macdonald, Veterinary nurse South Littleton, Worcestershire
ALWAYS WORTH SAYING HELLO
I was intrigued and amused by the letters on the subject of how to greet strangers when you are out walking (Sara Maitland, March issue). They seem to me to be missing an important point.
I am over 85 and have been walking for pleasure, mostly in mountain areas, since I was 16 years of age. I was taught by my father and other walkers, whom I admired, to always greet other walkers, especially in winter and adverse weather conditions. I have done this ever since and had short conversations with all ages of walkers. This is, of course, not possible sometimes when the hills are full of walkers.
However, stopping to chat has on two occasions proved useful when – on returning to the valley and in a village or car park – I have been asked by the mountain rescue parties if I have seen walkers in the hills, as one was overdue. I have been able to describe those I talked to and what they were carrying and some details of their clothing and the place and time I met them. On the two occasions I remember – in Aviemore and in Skye – this was useful to the searchers and the lost walkers were found. I think all walkers have a duty to remember those they meet as the information may come in useful. Geoff Williams Llandeilo
CAN’T BEAT EM? FEED ’EM
I too tried to discourage badgers from digging up my lawn (Letters, June issue). Nothing worked. They were persistent. So I decided to adopt the philosophy of “if you can’t beat them, then join them”. I watched to ascertain their favourite spot. And each night I started to feed them at a feeding station. Result? Never another dig and hours of enjoyment watching my badgers. Incidentally, no calling cards left either! Name withheld, via email