A Wild Time Of The Year

A Wild Time Of The Year
​ A Month of Million Varied Stars

I really don't know where to start writing this article, so much has happened since I last put pen to paper as it were, I could write an entire book about what's been happening here at The Somerset Wild Head Quaters of The Ole Hedge Creeper, I suppose I should start with the start of the month, so here goes, grab a glass of something nice to drink sit back and hear me now.

Four several months the planning was in place to be at The Stalking Show 2023, this year was going to be in a bigger way than before, I was there in several different roles and some of them with my international caps on, first off I will say the show was magnificent, I truly didn't think team Freer could not have done any better than the awesome previous years show, how wrong can one man be, they not only beat last years record they blew it out of the water, how they will top it again next year I don't know, but count me in I am already booking my hotel in anticipation.

The show looked awesome, the vibe at the show was just magnificent, traders and show goers alike loved every moment of the show, we all just did not want it to be over.

My stand The Pass It On young Sports stand was manned by Brendan, David and Brian from the UK & Ireland Grey Squirrel management group (The Grey Area) look for them on Facebook, the boys managed the stand for me I was popping on and off book signing and game calling, you see I had two other stands to man for Night Pearl (one of my international caps) plus do my parts on stage demonstrating the latest equipment and apparel etc with my new side kick who works for me Jamie, there was a technical problem with the PA system etc. so I jumped into the breach and did an ad lib game calling demo with some of my Young Sports who were there with their families, watch the video attached to this article its hilarious, one Mum got to play with my big waggler live live on stage, she got very excited I am not sure why.

We are holding our Pass It On Young Sports Ferret show, full details on the poster, drop Julia a shout to book in, this is a show but I particularly like the working sections so I am personally sponsoring them.

contact Julia via the Pass It On Young Sports events page www.pass-it-on-young-sports.org.uk 

Oh yes before I forget I am heading a grey squirrel management and trapping course in Hampshire in June, full details are on the poster, get in touch and book in, spaces are limited too, I am hoping to be running another very soon in Bristol or Somerset.

I got talked in to running in the local elections here to stand as a local Councillor, now I am not overly political, but I will say as a local village boy I am not too impressed, especially as my lovely village I grew up in is now a town, so I thought why not stand lets see if a rough ole local country boy like me can make a positive difference here locally especial for our young folk as that's were my passion lays, I want to start building better facilities for our young folk, stop them getting bored and sitting around the shopping centre, give them good opportunities to learn new skills make life long friendships etc, much like I did as a boy here, we had a wonderful youth club called The Mycon or The Methodist Youth Club Of Nailsea, it truly was an awesome place if you read my books I write very fondly of my time as a boy to manhood here.

It has come to my attention that me running for council has got some folk a little hot under the collar, my lack of response to these people is a simple approach, silence speaks volumes when dealing with fools, for arguing with a fool only proves there are two.

My Pappy raised no fool.

I like Margaret Thatcher's thoughts here, for she once said something that stuck in my mind and inspired me.

I always cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding, because I think, well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left.​

This is something I truly believe, to cast dispersions on my character is reflection of their own inadequacies and not that of mine, so I will leave this there with them, for I am a busy man and do not have time to discuss my finer qualities any further for there is just too much to get done for the greater good, I am sure if I am as bad as they say I am, when I meet God on the day of judgment I will accept all he has to say and take it on the chin, as my Pappy another God fearing man would always quote from the bible, he/she who is without sin must cast the first stone, or as I say, those that live in glass houses should not throw stones.

A very straight talking Irish lady neighbour of mine confronted me on the day of voting, now read this in a very broad Northern Irish voice, COME HERE ROBERT!!!!! tiz this true what I see here that you are running for Council???!!!! yes Mrs OXXXX that is me right there, Ahhhhhh I see she says and what are your thoughts on this and that, I gave my answer with all my conviction and heart felt words and truly meant every one of them, again in a broad Irish accent, she announced well you have my vote its about time we had someone with a good moral compass and the Brass BXXXS to stand behind them as a god fearing man, myself and all the ladies from the club are voting for you, perhaps you would like to come along and give us a talk sometime, I have known this lady since I was a boy and she knew my Mum well, so she really knows me, of course I will go and give a talk to them on whatever subject they want, I am very partial to her ginger cake, as we say a fair exchange is no robbery.

I have been very busy with my Freemasonry since my last humble scribbles, my old friend and now Bro Chippy had his third ceremony just recently in The Province of Wiltshire, I was truly honoured to be there to see him reach this sublime degree of a MM, as they say I have been there with him all the way 1-2-3 a jolly fine lodge he has joined there too, I also attended Gloucestershire Lode to see my dear friend and now Bro Wayne 2nd, another fine ceremony I cant wait to see his 3rd again a fantastic Lodge of Agriculture and a jolly fine night with good men and Freemasons was had, in Somerset I have visited so many lodges and side degrees far too many to list, wonderful men and Freemasons each and every one of them, I truly love Freemasonry, if your in Somerset and fancy joining click on this website link www.somersetfreemasons.org you will find all you need to know there, when I next write I will have initiated my right hand man Jamie into Gordano Lodge, I cant wait.

​My professional pest control has been out of control since I last wrote, I have so much work on I have met myself coming back so may times, Rat work and moles well I am having to buy even more traps this year, squirrel work blimey what a year so far both domestically and in the forestry work I do on the estates, Goose my cocker spaniel know his job well when checking traps, he trees the squirrels on the estate well that are hanging about, a quick shot from the ole BSA single 20 bore deals with them humanly and quickly, of course goose is on hand to retrieve them as smooth as silk.

Rabbit work I don't do a lot of any more due to the RHD disease wiping all the rabbits out, but being called to a multi sports ground just recently and a VIP riding centre this has changed some what, first armed with the awesome Air Arms S510 with my Night Pearl Seer 50 front add on, spotting with my Scops Max III thermal spotter made the job too easy, I will attach a couple of pics just for reference preposes, this coupled with on another night using the 22LR using Eley Subsonic Ammunition and the dedicated Marten 650 thermal scope made the job just too easy, it takes some of the enjoyment out really, obviously I go nowhere without my favourite thermal spotter too.

The North Somerset agricultural show was awesome as ever, Brendan from The Grey Area group joined me and put on the grey squirrel control stand, this was a huge success our stand was bursting at the seems with people, some of my Young Sports and their families game to say hello, especially my brilliant Young Sports Ambassador Dom, he helped with talking to people and helped me with my game calling demos, a wonderful day was had by all, alas we did not get to The Northern Shooting Show in Harrogate due to an admin error by the show, so I had that weekend of and just enjoyed being lazy.

We finished off with a Pass It On Young Sports Taster day to remember, watch the videos they will show you far better than I can write here what we get up too.​

Well I best stop writing now or I wont have much to write about in the next article all about my adventures.

I hope you have enjoyed reading my latest humble scribbles as much as I have writing them and remembering, so until the next time stay safe and well one and all.​

A Wild Time Of The Year
A Month of Million Varied Stars
By The Ole Hedge Creeper
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk