Seeking to make society a better place

I NOW regularly see most of the cast of Wind in the Willows using my garden as a set for their adventures.

Mole might seem goodnatured rolling in the warm grass, Ratty might have regarded Toad as affectionate and Mole might have been impressed with Badger’s accommodation, but Kenneth Grahame hadn’t seen the scenes of devastation on my lawn.

One of the animals who often appears at breakfast plays a minor role in the Wild Wood but, like most of the rabbits, is described by Ratty as “all right”, unlike the plunderous little predator who delights in pilfering the peanuts from the bird feeders.

Yes, Sam Squirrel, boar or sow I cannot tell, but of the grey variety, is quaint and friendly but furtive, lightfingered and as impertinent as Beatrix Potter’s little red squirrel Nutkin. I get no gifts of fat minnows, wild honey or a new-laid egg in a rush basket, but the larceny continues.

Interestingly, the red squirrel was mentioned last week in the Senedd Petitions Committee’s ‘Petition of the Year’ competition to recognise and celebrate the contribution of people who have been campaigners in Wales.

One of the petitions shortlisted called for new laws to protect rare red squirrels from habitat loss. Although it is illegal to kill or injure a red squirrel, a forest containing them is not protected and can be cut down, and the petition calls for regular assessment of the impact of felling on red squirrel populations.

I admire petitioners, campaigners, champions, proponents and all who actively seek to change society to make it a better place. Indeed, change is everywhere, except of course from a ticket machine in a car park, and there are many models.

But they all need an appreciation of the impact, clear communication, appropriate planning and successful implementation. Miss out one of them and prepare to be disappointed.

So well done the hopeful Senedd petitioners, but there will always be passive communities and the likes of Sam Squirrel who once whispered to me: “If there are two things that make me uncomfortable it’s the way things are and change.”