Out & About September 2017

21 / 76

21
“They can be litter trained so we let them run
around the house to have a bit of an explore –
and the dogs have a healthy respect for them.
On average, ferrets live to around 8 years and
the Jills (female ferrets) can have litters of
anything from a couple to 12 or 13 kits.
One of the club’s aims is to teach people about
irresponsible breeding.
“People don’t realise that Jills need to mate
every year – or they will die. There are various
ways of combatting this, apart from neutering.
You can give them an injection, which makes
them think they have mated or pair them with a
vasectomised Hob (male ferret).
“We get calls all the time from people asking us
to take litters. Kits do bite, they’re babies and
they’re looking for food, then people won’t hold
them and then they become nervier.”
This is the club’s 17th visit to the Berkshire
Show and there is always a lot of interest in
the ferrets.
“Children love to watch the races, older
children can hold them and they all love to
stroke them.”
In addition to visiting schools, fetes and county
shows, the Hants & Berks Ferret Club holds
two shows of its own each year – one in April
in Grazeley village hall, when other clubs join
in and various rosettes are hotly-contested.
In mid October, the club’s own show is held in
Headley Village Hall – the public are welcome
to both of these shows, but only club members
are allowed to enter their ferrets in the second
show.
“All the club members are volunteers and the
club show is our opportunity to show off our
ferrets to each other.
“When we attend other events we do so for
a fee, which along with the money we raise
from racing and the generous contributions we
receive from the public, enables us to make
donations to a number of ferret rescue and
rehoming centres across the south of England.
“We’ve even been asked to set up ferret races
at a wedding, and once took part in an event
in the City of London. The club and our ferrets
have made several TV appearances, including
The Alan Titchmarsh Show. They love being
around people and will happily take part in
any event.”
Nick Walklet
OA feature
The Royal County of Berkshire Show,
Saturday, September 16 and Sunday,
September 17
Newbury Showground, Priors Court, Hermitage, Thatcham, Berks, RG18 9QZ
Gate prices: Adult £20, Concession £17, Children £7 Family £50. Children under 5 free
when accompanied by full paying adult.
For a chance to win tickets see over the page
cVh^ʩcVahfigh
I]Z KmcZ
8]W\ ]c` PcWZRS`a
![ OP]dS U`]c\R
ZSdSZ Oa bVSg
`SaQcS O BcR]`
`]]T
K\Yb mci j]g]h XcbUhY jc`ibhYYf cf ^c]b h\Y
BUh]cbU` Hfigh mcif giddcfh \Y`dg ig hc `cc_
UZhYf gdYW]U` d`UWYg ]b @cbXcb UbX h\Y Gcih\
9Ugh giW\ Ug H\Y JmbY GUbX\Ua AYacf]U`
7\UdY` UbX H\Y 7\UgY Zcf YjYf Zcf YjYfmcbY"
cVh^ʩcVahfigh#ʩf\#i`$h]Z"jmcZ
BUh]cbU`Hfigh&$%+"H\YBUh]cbU`Hfigh]gUb]bXYdYbXYbhfY[]ghYfYXW\Uf]hm biaVYf&$),(*"
D\chc[fUd\m  BUh]cbU` Hfigh =aU[YgP?UfYb @Y[["
With over 35 years experience, Kalehurst Garden Machinery
is a name you can really trust. Come and speak to our team
of experts for the best service in town.
GET YOUR WEEKENDS BACK
The Garden Revolution is here!
COME IN AND GET YOUR FREE AUTOMOWER SITE SURVEY TODAY
KALEHURST
AT HILLIER GARDEN CENTRE, HERMITAGE,
Nr NEWBURY RG18 9TG
T: 01635 201623
E:
Over 1 million sold