ON a beautiful June evening, Whitley WI hosted Dutton WI in the biannual joint meeting.

Ray Jackson MBE, warden of the Lower Moss Wood’s Nature Reserve and Wildlife Hospital was the guest speaker.

Based in Ollerton near Knutsford, the reserve is managed to provide many different habitats so supporting a wide variety of flora and fauna.

The hospital takes in orphaned, sick or injured wild animals and Ray and his band of volunteers look after around 2000 casualties each year.

Animals range from badgers and foxes, hedgehogs and bats, bird species from small garden birds to birds of prey. 

Amusingly, Ray teaches his volunteers to ‘speak’ to the animal by making the animal’s own noise.

This is to ensure they don’t become pets and will be self-sufficient when returned to the wild. Local vets support the hospital and various treatments have been identified.

One necessary ‘trick’ when feeding a baby hedgehog, is to tickle its bottom with a cotton bud, encouraging the digestive system to work, so simulating their mother licking them.

Events at Whitley WI include the continuing bowls matches, monthly rambles and book club. Whitley Village Primary school has invited them to afternoon tea served by the children.

Details of the August outing to Adlington Hall have been finalised, there is also a visit to the Cheshire West and Chester recycling centre near Winsford, followed by a pub lunch.

The speaker for the next meeting is Cath Shaw with a talk entitled ‘Singing for Pleasure’.

New members and visitors are always welcome at meetings which are on the first Thursday of the month at 7.30pm in Whitley Village Hall. Email patsysharpy@hotmail.com.

Patricia Sharp