We always welcome a Letter to the Editor to share with our readers – unsurprisingly they don’t always reflect the views of this publication. If you have something you’d like to share, get in touch and of course, your considered comments are welcome below.
This from Anne Howard. Ed
We only moved to the Island two weeks ago, but have already encountered the kindness of the people.
We had quite an eventful evening last week! A bird fell down our chimney (in the lounge) at about 6pm.
We heard the thuds of it falling and then the awful, desperate flapping of wings as it tried to escape. There is a fitted gas fire blocking any escape for the poor thing. Doing nothing was just not an option – it was awful to hear.
Wight Nature to the rescue
I phoned the RSPCA and the RSPB – neither were willing to help. Then thanks to persistent internet searching I found Wight Nature, Wildlife Emergency and what happened next was truly inspirational.
Kerstin rounded up not one, but two gas engineers who volunteered to come and remove the gas fire to enable the bird to escape. It did. It flew around the house in blind panic, flew out of the open door then immediately flew back in again!
We caught the poor thing eventually and it spent the night ensconced in a big box of towels in a cardboard box in our garage. This morning it has flown off into the sunshine.
Inspirational Islanders
I am in total awe of the people who helped – Kerstin from Wight Nature and Claire and Mark the gas engineers. They are inspirational, kind hearted people. I don’t know how well known this little organisation is but I do know its value.
What a wonderful place we have come to.
