The Government once again has failed to increase pensioners’ winter fuel payment this year. According to research by the Liberal Democrats, the payment now only covers 36% of the average winter fuel bill compared with almost 66% in 2003. Now the £200 will only cover 33 days of an average 91-day winter.

Councillor Michael Wilkes comments: “We strongly support the Age Concern campaign to increase the winter fuel payment for pensioners by at least £100. Pensioners should not have to turn off the heat because of worry about fuel costs and paying the bill”.

If you are getting on in years, it is all the more important to keep warm and save a bit on fuel bills. If you would like a copy of our specially produced ‘Warm in Winter’ leaflet, then please write to Councillor Michael Wilkes at 38 Paradise Lane, Hall Green, Birmingham B28 0DU.

Following a reorganisation, Hall Green is now covered by South West Victim Support on their new phone number 0121-778-5864. Practical and emotional support is offered to victims of crime. The help might include follow up calls to the police, organising a support letter to a housing association, contacting a school about bullying or sending out a personal alarm.

Contact is initially by phone, although some calls may result in a home visit being arranged or an invitation to come in to the VS office for an appointment. Victim Support also help with criminal injury compensation. There are also support groups for women who have suffered violent crime. VS work in schools covers personal safety and bullying.

All this and much more. If you’ve been a victim of crime and would like some help in coping or need some further information, just give Jill Dourass at Victim Support a ring.

In winter wild creatures need our help to survive, especially with the destruction of their natural habitats by back garden developments, smaller and tidier gardens, more hazardous roads etc. Even hedgehogs are now an endangered species. They are nocturnal, so if you see one in the day, it is probably in need of care. Hedgehogs often have late litters but if the babies don’t weigh 600 grams by September, they’re unlikely to survive hibernation. But don’t make the kindly mistake of putting out bread and milk for hedgehogs - they cannot digest the lactose found in cow’s milk.

Wild birds need to eat up to half their bodyweight daily in order to survive. Foods with a high fat content such as suet or cheese help them keep warm. Birds also need help at this time of year with nesting / roosting materials. If you’ve a dog, empty its grooming brush outside. Birds need to dig deeper for food and have no natural cover from predators in trees and shrubs, so consider putting a bell on your cat. Foxes often find food in bin bags but are prone to mange and skin diseases. A winter fox should have a thick coat and is mainly nocturnal. If you see a thin fox in the day, it may need help.

For advice or practical help in caring for wildlife, or if you have any queries about other animals, fish or birds, contact Councillor Jackie Hawthorn at:

Jackie.hawthorn@birmingham.gov.uk (phone 303-4204)

or

Jenny Hawthorn at: Jenny.hawthorn@blueyonder.co.uk