The annual festival of all things hedgehog is expected to attract crowds to the banks of the River Wye on September 16th. There will be hedgehog fun and games as well as stalls with hedgehog products, including themed original hand printed tea towels and knitted toys.

The Hedghog Festival group have also organised a reading of ‘William The Hedgehog Boy’ by author, Robert A Brown and there will be a chance to make sealed bids for an authentic Pam Ayres sketch.

The Hope & Anchor location on Wye Street is expected to be packed, according to the organiser.

The event features local artists, the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley Men’s Shed, the Herefordshire Wildlike Trust, the Badger Action Network and the Wye Unneccessary Plastics Group are all taking part.

“The hedgehog is the ancient symbol of Ross-on-Wye,” says organiser, Yolande Watson, “and the UK’s favourite mammal, according to a 2016 survey by BBC Wildlife magazine. Behind the fun and festivities is a serious theme – the protection and survival of one of Britain’s most iconic creatures.” See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.