Mrs Sarah Phillips welcomed us and, after the reading of the minutes and the monthly newsletter, told us how well Arbory WI had done at the Southern Show, writes Sheena Gilbert of Arbory WI.

We won the prize for the table-top display entitled ’In the club’ and two members earned full marks for a decorated cake and for a handbag.

Mrs Phillips then said how much those had had gone on the summer outing in July had enjoyed themselves.

The speaker for the evening, Ms Sandra Moore from the Manx Hedgehog Preservation Society was then introduced.

Ms Moore was to tell us about hedgehogs and the society’s work with them on the island.

To give us an example of how some people behave, she told us about a young man who deliberately drove over a group of ducks and killed them, having previously tried to do the same thing earlier with a group of chickens.

All this was witnessed by the person driving behind him.

The police are empowered to prosecute such behaviour but they need two witnesses so nothing could be done in this case.

Hedgehogs are also considered fair game when they are on the road trying to get warm on emerging from hibernation, as the tarmac retains heat. Hibernation is governed by the temperature, beginning when it gets colder and ending when it is warmer.

Ms Moore gave us some tips on helping hedgehogs when times are hard for them.

We should not put out milk as they are lactose intolerant and should only have water to drink.

They like dog and cat food and meal worms.

They are also extremely partial to eggs and she told us about one hedgehog which had found a bin from which advocaat was dripping.

It was not aware of the brandy content and by the time it had drunk its fill it was completely tipsy and had to be taken away until it dried out.

Earth worms are an important part of their diet and Ms Moore told us about the threat to this food source from an invasive worm called the New Zealand flat worm, which eats our earth worms.

She showed us a picture of one of these worms which are brown, larger than earth worms and lay purple eggs.

The best way to kill them is by putting salt on them or incinerating them.

About half of the hoglets die each year. Any which are brought into the Society are given to fosterers and released when they can look after themselves.

Ms Moore had brought an orphaned hoglet to the meeting which had been found beside its dead mother.

We all had a chance to hold it which was a treat for those of us who like hedgehogs.

This was an interesting talk and reminded us of how precarious the position of so much wildlife is.

The vote of thanks was given by Mrs Judith Youde, who is herself a longstanding member of the Hedgehog Preservation Society.

The competition - a hedgehog related item - was won by Michelle Kennaugh, with Anne Squires second.

Our next meeting will be held at Arbory Methodist Chapel on September 138 at 7.15pm