Roy Hudd writes just for you…
Roy discovers how one farmer’s dream has created a magical home for British wildlife
Iknow a lot of readers take me to task when I write about zoos and I do agree that wild animals can’t be seen at their best through bars. Nothing can compare with seeing elephants and big cats roaming across acres of territory in their real homes, but how many of us get the chance – or have the money – to get to these blessed places? That’s why I do say that perhaps the only way we and our kids will ever see our vanishing wildlife is in a zoo. Don’t get me wrong, there are some bad ones but the good ‘uns concentrate on breeding programmes with the hope of halting extinction and returning the animals to the wild. They are succeeding. The other day, on the way to a gig, we passed a notice that said ‘The British Wildlife Centre’. We went in and were fascinated – nearly missing the gig! The centre, a collection of more than 40 different species of wild residents of these islands, was like a safari in miniature. The animals, housed in enclosures that are as close to their natural habitats as possible, range from the tiniest harvest mouse to beautiful deer. The harvest mice live, behind glass, in a chunk of wheat field which to them must feel like a holiday wildlife. You can get close to magical creatures, walk through a red squirrel enclosure and stroll around with the free-range ones in their own copse. You can sit quietly observing badgers going about their business, and smile and enjoy the otters, too. Dedicated young keepers will bring hedgehogs and owls to you and answer all your enquiries – with an enthusiastic smile. This unique haven came into being through a farmer, David Mills, who, like so many good guys, had a dream. His was to educate folk about the amazing diversity of animals on our own doorstep. He gave up his pedigree herd of Jersey cows to try to do just that. Since 2000, when he opened the place to the public, the dream has come true. I could wax lyrical forever about the impact the centre had on me and I will do so at the drop of a hat. If you get the chance, do drop in. You’ll find not a zoo, but a spotless utopia for our very own beautifully cared for British wildlife. Just some info which I forgot to give you – my lyrical started to wax again – sorry. n The British Wildlife Centre is on the A22 near Lingfield, Surrey RH7 6LF. Its website is www.britishwildlifecentre.co.uk Worth checking as it’s not open every day. Call 01342 834658
‘You can sit quietly observing badgers going about their business and enjoy the otters, too’