July - Lincolnshire County Council

MOBILE HAIRDRESSER
Katy Fox
Cuts from £6.50, Blow dry £8.50
01507 588320 - 07917 615119
EDMUND DONE
MOTOR ENGINEER
Servicing / Bodywork
MOT Preparation
Mount Pleasant Farm Hagworthingham
Telephone: 01507 588672
Lisa Hammond
Holistic & Beauty Treatments
Reflexology, Hopi Ear Candles, Massage,
Facials, Pedicures and more.
(30 min. taster treatments available)
Pamper Days. Gift Vouchers.
Call me on 07831 555075
JJ’s CAFÉ
Main Road - 01507 588611
~~~~~~~~~~~
Tasty home cooked food,
Specials Board, Sunday Lunch,
FRIDAY NIGHT - FISH ‘n CHIPS!!
Good Parking - all welcome
3A’s TAXI
(Hagworthingham’s local taxi)
Tel. 01507 588225 Mobile 07939 227455
1 - 7 seater
SECOND-HAND SHOP
HOUSE CLEARANCE
Good quality household items
Furniture, collectables and much more….
Opening hours:
11.30am - 5pm Wed - Fri. 10.30am - 5pm Sat - Sun
D.G.S. Church Lane Hagworthingham 01507 588275
FIREWOOD FUTURES
Seasoned firewood delivered direct to your door
High quality - Locally sourced
Competitive prices
Call Nick on
07554 935549 - 01507 533736
NICK COULTHURST
Domesc Electrician
Part P. NICEIC registered
Holly House Farm 07919 918 882
East Coast Windows & Conservatories
Edwin Baumber
(Joiner)
UPVC - Home Improvements
Double glazed units replaced
01507 588215
HAGWORTHINGHAM TIMBER BUILDINGS
Old Filling Staon, Main Road, Hagworthingham
Garden Sheds-Summer Houses-Gazebos-Arbour Seats
Many buildings in stock - also built to order
Call and see us
01507 588424 - 07503 981669
Rachel's Café
(Old Filling Staon)
01507 588424
Open daily 8am – 6pm
George & Dragon
>Mon-Thur, 2 for 1 from Specials Board<
Great value home cooked meals served every day
-Sunday Carvery (best to book please)-
-Friday Fish ’n Chips a speciality-
www.georgendragonpub.co.uk 01507 588255
WHOLEBODY EXERCISE
Increase stamina : suppleness - have fun!
Various classes, incl Raithby Tues. 6 - 7pm
Talks to groups - Personal Training - Specialist classes
Marion Manson (Dip.EHM) 01507 588414
www.mmhome.me.uk
Village Voice
Village Voice
July - September 2011
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Useful Contact Numbers/Information
Issue 10
Parish Council Notes / Community Resources
Charitable Donations / Golf Society
Diary Dates
Village Events
Holy Trinity Church
Nature News
Health and Lifestyle
Printed by
http://parishes.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Hagworthingham/

BRUSH AND VACUUM, CLEAN RELIABLE
AND FRIENDLY SERVICE
FULL LIABILITY INSURANCE
Please call Julian on
Home 01507 588442
Mobile 07774956265
PERKINS
Plumbing & Building Contractors
· New Build & Renovations ·
Kitchen & Bathroom Design & Installation
Granite Worktop Specialist
UPVC Fascia & guttering, windows, doors
07818 418367 - 01205 364266 - 01507 588598
WILLOW FARM POULTRY
Poultry; Housing; Feed; Sundries
~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Traditional and rare breeds
Various ages and vaccinated
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Julia – 01507 588551
Any interesting news? Events?
Deadline for October Village Voice is
20 th September (please note in your diary)
It is important that your contributions, ads and
payment are all in by this date for inclusion.
Nature and hobbies,
nicky@mutti.demon.co.uk; 588514
Have your say, ads, reports, events,
villagevoice@mmhome.me.uk; 588414
MG BUILDING SERVICES
ALL general building work undertaken
All-rounder with over 25 years experience
(PORTFOLIO AVAILABLE)
Mark - 01507 588551 - 07834 818 185
Diane Morgan
Neal's Yard Remedies Independent Consultant
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Organic Skin and Body Care
And 100% Natural Remedies!
01507 588446 mobile 07505 957416
https://www.nyrhome.com/shop/diane_morgan
DIRECT FRUIT & VEG
(Old Filling Station)
UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT
Open 7 days a week
8am-4pm
Fruit, veg, fresh eggs, milk etc
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Hagworthingham residents
who find it difficult to get out for
supplies please contact us for
delivery details
Tel: 07788 555 612
Village web site http://parishes.lincolnshire.gov.uk/hagworthingham/
YOUR HEALTH - YOUR LIFESTYLE
Fat in bought foods.
A brief guide for working out what's really in there.
How low is low fat? Work it out by reading the contents label.
As a guide.........
If calories from fat are LESS than 30-35%, the food can be considered low in fat.
If calories from carbohydrate are MORE than 50%, the food can be considered high in
carbohydrate (good!).
NB. 1g fat contains 9 kcal - 1g carbohydrate contains 4 kcal
As an example, a supermarket brand of 'Salmon en Croute' contains:
Fat: 30.8g per portion - Energy:451 kcal per portion
Therefore, calories from fat = 30.8 x 9 = 277 kcal.
Percentage energy from fat = 277 divided by 451 X 100, therefore energy from fat is
61%. This is obviously higher than the recommended amount of fat, so use this formula
to find out the true fat content. Check that 'low fat' doesn't also mean high sugar or high
salt or additives.
BANANAS......are the most popular fruit in the UK. We eat around
30lbs, or over 100 bananas each per year. That's no bad thing, bananas
are one of the most perfect foods around. Not only do they come in
their own uniquely designed wrapper but they are packed to bursting
with nutrients; B vitamins; vitamin C; potassium; essential amino acids;
carbohydrate and fibre to name but a few. Marion Manson
Charity walk in aid of Copdrop
The date for my charity walk in aid of Copdrop (a Lincolnshire based police charity who
have been supporting orphanages in Romania for over 10 years) is fast
approaching, 50 of us are setting of on Friday 15 th July to begin the Lyke Wake walk
over the North Yorkshire Moors at 10.30pm. The challenge is to complete the 40 mile
trek in under 24 hours, so all being well we should complete it before the pubs shut on
Sat 16 th July. Training for the walk has gone up a gear, most walks are between 10 and
18 miles at the moment. By the time you read this I will have visited the moors and
hopefully walk the second half of the route, the theory being that psychologically, when I
reach that point after walking the first half for real I shall think ‘ no problem, I’ve already
seen this bit, no worries!!’. I was very relieved to meet our back up team who assured
us that the bacon butties will be dished up at check point 3 about 7 hours into the
walk. I’m still collecting sponsorship so if you would like to sponsor me please call on
01507 588514. Every little helps. www.copdrop.com Many thanks, Nicky Mutti
Total site viewings, reporting period 01-05-2011 to 31-05-2011…..1,263
Historical Anecdote 6
The email alert page allows you to register to receive the alerts. Village news and events, as
well as Parish Council dates and news are covered. Fill in the form and you will receive the alerts
each time they are sent out.
John Wesley came to Horncastle in 1759. Crowds gathered when he prepared to preach in
the market place. He wrote in his journal, "….there was….an earnest attention through the
whole congregation". It's not clear whether or not he travelled through Hagworthingham, but
he did travel to the neighbouring village of Raithby. Here a chapel was built in his honour by
Everyone who signs up is completely anonymous to the administrator. Alerts are sent to a central Robert Carr Brackenbury. This chapel is still used and has a pleasing atmosphere.
point where they are then mailed out to everyone on the list within a day. Marion Manson 11

What’s On? (Dates For Your Diary)
Event Detail When Where
Mobile Library 10.15 - 10.45am Mon 27 June George & Dragon
Quiz Hagg2000 Event Wed 29 June 8pm George & Dragon
Permaculture
Demonstration
Deano Martin’s Project Sun 3 July
Horncastle end of
Main Road
Women’s Institute A Lincolnshire Legend Thur 14 July 7pm JJ’s Cafė
Summer Evening Event Wine & Canapés see page 7 Fri 8 July 6.30 Church
Open Gardens See page 7 for detail Sun 10 July 2 - 5
Golf Fixture Ring Martin 01507 588255 for details Wed July 20
Mobile Library 10.15 - 10.45am Mon 25 July George & Dragon
Quiz Hagg2000 Event Wed 27 July 8pm George & Dragon
Parish Council Meeting Open Forum first 15 mins Mon 8 Aug 7.30 Church
Village Trip Hagg 2000 Scarborough Outing Wed 10 August Leaving G & D 8am
Women’s Institute Surprise Meeting Thur 11 Aug 7pm JJ’s Cafė
Swapshop Contact Nicky 588514 for details Sat 13 Aug 11am George & Dragon
Village Show Annual Horticultural Show Sat 13 Aug. 2.30 Church
Golf Fixture Ring Martin 01507 588255 for details Wed 17 August Match V Horncastle
Mobile Library 10.15 - 10.45am Mon 22 Aug George & Dragon
Quiz Hagg2000 Event Wed 24 Aug 8pm George & Dragon
Manor Garden Open Garden open for N.G.S. (£3) Mon 29 Aug. 2 - 5 Manor Garden
Golf Fixture Ring Martin 01507 588255 for details Wed 7 September
Women’s Institute Speaker from ACWW Thurs 8 Sept 7pm JJ’s Cafė
Any interesting news? Events? Deadline for October Village Voice is September 20 th
It is important that your ads (& payment), reports, events are in by this date for inclusion.
6
Quiz Hagg2000 Event Wed 21 Sept 8pm George & Dragon
Golf Fixture Ring Martin 01507 588255 for details Wed 21 Sept
Golf Fixture Ring Martin 01507 588255 for details Wed 19 October
Quiz Hagg2000 Event Wed 26 Oct 8pm George & Dragon
Golf Fixture Wed 16 Nov
Quiz Hagg2000 Event Wed 23 Nov 8pm George & Dragon
Quiz Hagg2000 Event Wed 7 Dec 8pm George & Dragon
Theme nights at George and Dragon please see notice board / website
Please look at notice boards (in Layby, Manor Road, Old Post Office, Café & Pub) for other events.
Hagworthingham Women’s Institute
The W.I. has enjoyed a busy few months. Members found the talk and
power point presentation in April on Easter Island given by Mr J. Farrow very
interesting. We visited Spilsby W.I. in May to discuss this year’s Resolutions
on the loss of libraries and the desirability of ‘mega’ farms, (both W.I.s
supported them). In June we celebrated our 83 birthday with a superb dinner at
Sausthorpe. Also in June there was an interesting evening when Jane Allenby spoke
to us on the history of teddy bears and then demonstrated stuffing and finishing off a
bear, she brought some super teddies with her that she had made. Visitors are
welcome to attend our meetings, for details please ring Dora Dewick on 588236.
The 31 st HORTICULTURAL SHOW
Plans are well in hand for the 2011 Annual Show to be held in the Church
on Saturday 13 August 2011 at 2.30pm. Schedules will be delivered in
late June/early July. Each year we hope it will be a well supported and
enjoyable Show, so please enter and help make it another show to be
proud of. Come along in the afternoon and enjoy W.I. tea and cakes and
look at the exhibits. The trophies will be presented around 4pm by Mr J. Curtis.
Summer Village Events July 2011
Friday evening 8th July
6.30-8.30pm In the church
An evening of wine and canapés,
with background music, raffle,
Entry by ticket only, £10 Anne Brearley 01507 588657
…..............................................................................
Sunday afternoon 10th July
Open Gardens 2-5pm Teas in the church
Proceeds from the whole weekend:-
50% to Holy Trinity Church/50% to L.I.V.E.S.
Please contact Marion Manson 01507 588414 or
Anne Brearley 01507 588657 or
Rachel Morgan 01507 588457
Offers of raffle prizes for the Friday evening event most acceptable,
thank you.
7

CHILDREN’S HOBBY PAGE
My love of snakes
My love of snakes began on my 8 th birthday party when mum hired the reptile road
show for my special day. All my friends shrieked and squealed at the lizards,
snakes, scorpions and all the other fantastic animals whilst I was handling them
like they were my own pets. As I held the corn snake I was fascinated by the
gorgeous creature, this is where I discovered my passion for snakes. Snakes are
so misunderstood like many of the other remarkable reptiles out there, people see
snakes as long slimy ribbon like worm things but this is far from the truth they are
so smooth against the cheek and their lack of legs is just how they evolved so we
shouldn’t prejudge them, if I’m being totally honest snakes are the best and
calmest pet I have ever encountered and owned and trust me I should know one
wall in my bedroom is totally covered in vivariums!
It was last year when I finally persuaded mum to let me have 2 baby garter snakes
for my 13 th birthday. Although it was not all plain sailing. Not even 15 minutes after
beginning to handling them at home they both escaped! So we stripped my
bedroom and found both again phew. One was called ‘twiggy’ and the other was
‘speedy’ and I smothered them with all my love until one tragic day when we had
to move them into another tank because the previous was too small, but the doors
were not sealed properly and both escaped. We searched and searched for the
little critters but could not find them, I was truly devastated.
6 months later I found myself scrolling the pages of preloved (second hand
market) when I saw an ad about a lonely sunglow corn snake that needed a good
home as the owners couldn’t look after her anymore. Out of curiosity I began to
research about corn snakes and found that they were probably the calmest snakes
of all and came in many wonderful colours. I showed mum the ad and explained
how magnificent they were and about 8 weeks later I had this beautiful snake on
my lap driving back from just the other side of the Humber Bridge where I got her.
She is a beautiful ruby red colour with fiery saddles and so calm, because of her
amazing colour I decided to name her Maple as in the rosy red colour of maple
leaves in the autumn. Soon after I decided that Maple needed a friend. Since then
I have gained more and more corns from all over the country until I ended up with
10. This is when I chose to breed them. Dad converted an old fridge into an
incubator after I put my snakes through brumation (which is a type of hibernation
that mimics the period of rest before the breeding season begins for corn snakes
in the wild). I selected which girls and boys I wanted to mate. My girls didn’t let
me down and began laying eggs 58 days later. I put them in the incubator which
has to stay at 28 – 30 degrees and hey presto 68 days later 9 baby snakes
hatched. I’m still waiting for 3 other clutches to hatch.
As my snakes eat mice, I breed them too, which is another story for another day.
My ambition for the future is to be the first person in the UK to own a scale-less
corn snakes which are very rare and worth a fortune!!! Faith Mutti
Do you have a hobby or skill or any interesting stories you would like to write about here,
up to about 500 words – and any pictures? villagevoice@mmhome.me.uk 588414
10
Canon Peter Coates (Rural Dean),
Tel. 01790 752526,
Email peter.coates@onetel.net
USEFUL INFORMATION
Citizens Advice Bureau ~ 08701 224422
Anglian Water ~ 0800 145145 (24hrs) PCSO Keith Briggs 07825 100408
Lincolnshire Police non emergency number is
0300 111 0300 ( 24 hour service)
NHS Direct – 0845 4647 . If it is not a 999
emergency, but you need medical help fast you
now ring 111
Skegness Hospital ~ 01754 762401 Electricity loss of supply ~ 0800 0568090
Boston Pilgrim Hospital ~ 01205 364801 Lincoln County Hospital ~ 01522 512512
Call Connect Bus Service - ring 0845 234
334 or online at www.lincsinterconnect.com.
The mobile Post Office - George & Dragon
Pub on Tues. & Thurs. 1.30pm to 2.30pm.
Mobile Library service will be in the George &
Dragon yard from 10.15am - 10.45am
monthly on Mondays (see link on website)
Red Cross Link Community member
Eileen Jackson ~ 01507 588273
Samaritans - 0845 790 9090 Childline – Lincolnshire 0800 3895272
National Drugs Helpline 0800 77 66 00 RSPCA – 0300 1234 999 (24hrs)
District Councillor Mrs L-J Marfleet
contact details – 01507 534672
L-J.Marfleet@e-lindsey.gov.uk
Tetford Doctors Surgery ~ 01507 533233
Spilsby Doctors Surgery ~ 08444 773309
Horncastle Doctors Surgery ~ 01507 522477
Sir Peter Tapsell MP for Louth and Horncastle
Contact details:- Constituency: 01507 603713
Office: 020 7219 4477
House of Commons London SW1A 0AA
Helpful contact details . . . .
Macmillan Cancer Support Line at Home, over the Phone - free 0800 808 00 00
Relate (Couple counselling) & Boston Cruse – Bereavement Support – 01205 315920
Lincolnshire Carers Partnership www.lincolnshirecarers.co.uk tel: 01522 554214,
email carerspartnership@lincolnshire.gov.uk
If you are a carer and need emergency help the Partnership team are available on 01522
782224
Louth & District Seniors Forum exist to promote the welfare of older people; provide
information; represent the views of the over 50s. Tel: 0797 488 0157 (mobile) or write to
them at PO Box 31, Louth Delivery Office, 15 Eastgate, Louth, LN11 9ND
AgeUK - Home Support Service; fully insured help of all kinds; hourly rates apply - 01507
524798 Age UK Advice: 0800 169 6565
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
Spilsby (opposite theatre on Church St) 01754 762528
Served from Skegness, 01754 762528 fralexadkins@gmail.co
Horncastle, St Mary’s Church, contact - tel: 01526 352245, email
catholic.church.woodhallspa@gmail.com
METHODIST CHAPELS:- http://www.midlincs.org.uk/
Horncastle, Queen Street. SPILSBY, Market St
contact - Geoff Tamblin 01790 752411, geoff.tamblin@btinternet.com
3

HOLY TRINITY CHURCH HAGWORTHINGHAM COMMUNITY
If you need to speak to a Priest please contact
Canon Peter Coates (Rural Dean),
The New Vicarage, Church Street, Spilsby, Lincs. PE23 5DU
Tel. 01790 752526,
Email peter.coates@onetel.net
We were all saddened by the death of our Rector The
Rev. Adrian Sullivan. He will be greatly missed for his
guidance, help and support, we shall miss his sense
of humour. He was not just our Rector but our friend.
Saturday 19 June was our Annual Gift Day,
traditionally held on the weekend of Trinity
Sunday. This year £240 was raised on the day for
Church funds. The P.C.C. are grateful to everyone
for their generosity.
With the help of the Archdeacon, the Architect and
Heating Engineer we are hoping the new heating
system will be installed before too long. The new boiler will be situated in the
Vestry. The hold up is still the problem of obtaining a faculty (permission from
the Church authorities) and listed building planning from East Lindsey. This
continues to take an inordinate amount of the Church Wardens time and effort.
The care of the Churchyard continues and we are very grateful for the help of
volunteers. It is looking really beautiful at the moment.
FREE TREES! Deano has some unusual trees in pots to give away. They will
grow into mid- to large trees. Contact him on 588543 and see the parish web site
for details to find out more.
Visit to local Permaculture Demonstration Project
3rd July.
On Sunday 3rd July, there will be the opportunity to visit Deano Martin's
Permaculture Project on the edge of the village for a guided tour. An explanation of
just what the words mean will be followed by the chance to see the range of
interesting food growing and the management approached Deano is developing
The British Beekeepers Association have just launched a new web page
to help people who think that they have a swarm. It takes you through the stages to
identify a swarm, showing the other common insects that are often mistaken for
Honey bees. Once you have established that you have a swarm, there is a link that
will give you a list of registered swarm collectors within a 10 mile radius of your post
code. The link is http://www.bbka.org.uk/help/do_you_have_a_swarm.php
8
MONEY RAISED IN THE VILLAGE…….
The RNLI house to house collection in the village raised £224.77
Thank you to all who gave. Anne Brearley
A thank you from Vanessa Maidens...........
Thank you to everyone who came to the charity quiz at the George and Dragon, when
we raised the sum of £266. Hagg2000 donated a further £100 and my Mum (Jenny
Redman) raised oddments too. So the final sum was £400. Thank you to all of you who
gave money, time and raffle prizes.
The money was sent to Fletcher Ward of Nottingham City Hospital where my son
Anthony (he's 19) has been receiving treatment for Acute Myeloid Leukaemia.
Thank you, Vanessa
Manor House Garden
The garden was opened for the first time for the National
Garden Scheme at the end of May. Over £600 was raised to
be split between the NGS Charities and the Church in
Hagworthingham. Grateful thanks go to all the helpers.
Since then a Garden Group has visited and several other
groups are booked in during the summer. The second open
day for NGS is August bank holiday Monday (29). The
garden will also be one of the gardens open on 10 July for
the Church / LIVES event. Photo by Viv Stacey on Open day
GEORGE AND DRAGON GOLF SOCIETY
Mike Thompson lead the troops down to
Sandilands golf club for the Hagworthingham
golf society’s latest day. Fifteen ventured out
on a breezy day, with no shelter from the
elements making scoring tricky for some.
Unusually unaffected by wind Gary Bennett
romped home by 5 shots with an impressive
42 points. Martin Ross was our runner up
with John Redman (last month’s winner)
making a better defence of the title than our
previous winner, both with a creditable 37
points. Andrew Lee snuck into the prizes in
4 th keeping his nearly man tag intact! The
nearest the pin prize went to Pete Mitchel, Mike Robinson made good use of a sudden
gust of wind to win the longest drive prize. The 2’s money was shared by David Preston
and Pete Mitchel proving the old saying that money does actually go to money!
Gary’s prize was this pink wheel barrow. Ring 07815 739 337 if you would like one and
donate £2 to breast cancer uk. Julian Miles 5

4
THE PARISH COUNCIL
In the past few months the Parish Council have held the Annual Parish Meeting on April 11,
followed by the last Parish Council meeting of that term of office.
The annual Council meeting was held on May 16 when Mr E. Done joined the Council. Cllr M.
Manson was re-elected Parish Council Chairman for the coming year with Cllr F. Smith as Vice
Chairman. This was followed by the May meeting of the newly elected Council. The Chairman
thanked Mrs R. Morgan for her hard work during the last term for the Council grass cutting,
siting bat boxes, bulb planting and as the Responsible Finance Officer.
The grass in the village is being cut this year by a contractor.
On going efforts are continuing to try and reduce the speed of vehicles travelling along the
A158. The reactive signs brought to the village by the police from time to time are effective
while on site.
Members of the Parish are welcome to attend our meetings. Time is set aside for members of
the parish to ask questions or make comments. The next Council meeting is August 8 at
7.30pm in the Church. Future dates will be displayed on the notice boards, web site and email
alerts. Wendy Done Clerk to the Parish Council
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
www.streetlife.com
Hagworthingham - now is your chance to have your say and join www.streetlife.com? If you
have a computer and are on the internet, you can access this virtual village noticeboard. It’s free
and easy to join, and quite a few of you have already - but it needs a lot more members! There
are many different “threads” on the go, including village wildlife, traffic speeds and signs,
freecycling items (eg. a TV, a bed, plant seedlings, bike rack, tailors dummy and toys) and
discussions about getting help with computers, broadband speeds, exercise classes, mobile
library visits, pet insurance, foxes, business cards, poetry evenings, open gardens, Anglian
Water pipeline, recipes and bee swarms etc etc! However, the site would be even more useful
and interesting if it had more members, so please have a look. You don’t have to “chat”, you can
just look around, and you can also send “private messages” to other members in the area.
Hagworthingham’s very own www.streetlife.com has great potential - a means of sharing
practical information, advice, and resources, but it’s only going to be really effective if more of
you join. What are you waiting for? Heather Temple-Marsh
HaggNet
We are aware that not all residents have a computer and the internet (and hence access to
streetlife.com) so it is our aim to set up a data base of village telephone numbers. Therefore, if
someone needs some practical help with something, or say a lift somewhere, they can ring a
central point and ask for help. If you would like to add your name to the list as a potential helper,
or you need some help, please ring Nicky (588514) or Marion (588414) or Heather (588250)).
FREECYCLE/RECYCLE Nicky Mutti
If you have larger items that are no longer required and taking up space but that are too good
for the tip, send me the details either via email nicky@mutti.demon.co.uk, or on
www.streetlife.com or by good old fashioned telephone 01507 588514. I will issue a listing on
the Hagworthingham Parishes website; and on the two notice boards in the village which will be
updated fortnightly. All I need is an item description and a telephone number. Once an item has
been ‘Freecycled’ within the community, just let me know so I can remove it from the listing.
The Parish Council are not responsible for any of the opinions of contributors to this publication.
Owl
nesting in the village
NATURE NEWS
The Grass snake was
photographed by Cliff
Stacey in his fish pond. It
was about a metre long
but grass snakes can
reach up to five foot in
length. They are generally
found in areas close to
water where they can find
their favourite type of food, frogs and toads.
Interesting facts about Swallows
Swallows are small agile birds with dark glossy blue backs, red throats, pale under parts and
long distinctive tails streamers. The female’s tail is slightly shorter than the males. They spend
most of their time on the wing.
Recent declines due to loss of habitat quality in both their breeding and wintering grounds mean
they are an Amber List species. Swallows and their nests are fully protected under the Wildlife
and Countryside Act 1981, which makes it an offence to intentionally kill, injure or take any wild
bird. It is an offence to intentionally take, damage or destroy the eggs, young or nest of a swallow
whilst it is being built or in use. The Act allows for fines or prison sentences for every bird, egg or
nest destroyed
Swallows are found in areas where there is a ready and accessible supply of small insects. They
are particularly fond of open pasture with access to water and quiet farm buildings. Large reed
beds in late summer and early autumn can be good places to look for pre-migration roosts.
They can be seen in Britain from late March to early October.
Swallows are monogamous, they mate for life and they have a lifespan of up to 16years.
When returning to Britain, the males arrive first. They will have covered approx 200 miles per
day, mainly traveling in daylight with average speed of 17-22mph but maximum of 35mph.
Many pairs will return to the same nest site year after year, refurbishing old nest using mud and
plant material. The nests are built on top of beams or shelves in quiet buildings or on cliff top
ledges. First time nesters will often build a nest close to where they were born.
Swallows mate in flight. 4-5 white brown-spotted eggs are laid. Both parents incubate, although
the female does most of it, for 15-17 days. The other parent feeds the brooding parent, and both
rest in the same nest at night. Hatchlings are born naked and helpless, fledging in 18-23 days.
They may raise more than one brood in a good season, with their latest fledged juveniles helping
out. When the young are able to fly, the parents may continue to feed them and do so on the
wing!
By early September, most swallows are preparing to migrate. They flutter about restlessly,
feeding up to gain weight for the journey. Most leave the UK during September, with early broods
of youngsters being the first to go.
Although they do feed en route they are still vulnerable, migration is a hazardous time. Many die
from starvation, exhaustion and in storms.
In the wintering areas the swallows flock in small groups which join together to form roosting
flocks of thousands of birds. Nicky Mutti
9