Old Seafordian Brett Bentley-Leek last week gave a fascinating talk to Seaford Prep School students about hedgehogs and donated a hedgehog house to place in the College grounds. He explained that this much-loved mammal is under threat and needed greater protection.

“Hedgehogs appeared over 15 million years ago in our island and have fascinated us for thousands of years,” he said. “They play at important role in the history and myth of our wildlife and countryside, depending mainly on insects for their survival. They are nocturnal and hibernate in the winter. As their habitat and food sources have been reduced in recent times, their numbers have critically declined. We should do all we can to help them survive.”

He added: “The Hedgehog is an important animal, especially in the garden, for controlling bugs and insects, and this negates the use of pesticides which is a clear advantage for eco-friendly gardeners in controlling unwanted insects.”

Julian Hart, Deputy Head of Seaford Prep School, runs the Environment Club and thanked Brett for the talk and donation of the house. “This subject fits perfectly with our eco work as we are looking at our ‘local environment’.”

Students are planning to monitor what happens in the hedgehog house over the coming weeks and months.