About 40% of incidents reported to the RSPCA concern wildlife and last year the charity received calls about more than 100,000 wild animals in need – including 288 on the Isle of Wight.
The RSPCA Garden at the 2023 Chelsea Flower Show has wowed visitors, VIPs and Royals alike, but the charity, and its new President Chris Packham, is hoping it will scoop the biggest accolade of all – the People’s Choice Award.
The RSPCA Garden picked up a prestigious silver-gilt medal from the RHS judging panel yesterday (Tuesday) spreading an inspiring message about reversing wildlife decline, and even His Majesty the King described the garden as ‘beautiful’ during his visit to the show on Monday.
Gill Head, who is an RSPCA Animal Rescue Volunteer based on the Isle of Wight, is 1 of the team of volunteers who have been helping out at the Chelsea Flower Show garden.
Gill’s role has enabled her to help wildlife, something that she has always been interested in. Since moving to the Isle of Wight she is able to spot barn owls, red squirrels and house martins. Gill is very keen on creating wildlife friendly gardens and believes that in doing so we will make a huge difference to their future.
Gill has a diploma in Garden Design and had her own practice in Surrey before moving to the Isle of Wight. She is always keen to promote the use of planting and landscaping to support the survival of wildlife and education others about sustainable practices.
She said:
“A garden at Chelsea is an excellent way of raising public awareness of the work the RSPCA does with wildlife, as often the public sees the charity only in its role of rescuing mistreated animals. Especially as many visitors to the show, and of course the television audiences, take back the advice and ideas given there to their own gardens.”
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Chris Packham, the charity’s new President, said:
“There are some truly wonderful gardens here, but this is the very best garden here at Chelsea. It’s great for wildlife, and I’ve got some great ideas from this garden myself! You know it makes sense, it’s not just for gardeners, it’s for wildlife and wild animal welfare too.”
Those who are not able to visit the flower show in person can guide themselves around a 3D version of the stunning wildlife garden – similar to Google Street View. Virtual attendees can climb stairs of the two-storey bird hide and gaze into the beautiful water feature, and peep into a wall of bird boxes, all without leaving the comfort of their home.
Chris added:
“At the click of a button visitors will be able to wander around The RSPCA Garden, find out more about the stunning plants, the amazing water feature inspired by the RSPCA’s unique rescuing animals, climb to to the top of the bird hide to see the view and get some great advice on how to create their own wildlife haven in their neighbourhoods.”
The RSPCA is determined to make their garden as accessible to everyone as possible. In addition to opening up the garden online, it will later be relocated to Cheshire to be based at one of the charity’s specialist wildlife centres, where it will provide sanctuary for staff, volunteers and wild animals alike.
Only dealt with 288 as you can never get hold of them on phone direct, some call centre that doesn’t answer half time and then recorded info. Old days you would ring Bohemia or an Inspector direct,now so much red tape and process.