A NEW wildlife hospital is ready for admissions at Soldridge Business Park , Medstead, near Alton , and the gates of HART Wildlife Rescue at Overton are now permanently closed.

All the charity's operations will now be run from the new unit following the successful move of six adult and six baby hedgehogs, and 14 birds. These included a couple of very tiny swifts, several baby blackbirds of various sizes and a jay. They all now stand a very good chance of survival.

“It felt very odd after nearly 15 years of dreaming about it and I don't think I will be able to just drop it.”

A moment of relaxation for June and Bob Gibbs in the garden at Dellands, Overton.

There's not really any chance of that – both June and Bob will always continue to love and care about wildlife, and their expertise will always be valued by the team at the new hospital.

There will be a bit of to-ing and fro-ing for a few months at least as not all the creatures at Dellands at the time of the move could be transferred. Several ducks and a goose will continue to be cared for by June until they are fit for release. Gladys, the partially blind Mallard duck who has fostered countless ducklings over the years, will become a permanent resident.

There is not yet a pond at Medstead and the outside pens and aviaries have still to be constructed. This phase of the project, and an educational facility, will be completed as soon as possible and funds allow.

A substantial donation from the Persula Foundation, which has supported the charity several times over the years, made it possible to buy purpose-built isolation units, an examination table, light and a drugs trolley, and to make a deposit on the new leased ambulance.

The empty shell of the business unit at Soldridge Park has been cleverly converted into a series of small rooms leading from a reception area where the public will be able to bring future patients. In addition to this there are two recovery rooms, the isolation unit, a treatment room, a staff room, toilet and shower, and a separate utility room.

“Moving was hard work and it will take a little while before we are fully operational,” said hospital manager Charmian Greenland-Jones. “But it is great to be here and a relief that everyone survived the journey.

“As always we are very grateful to our brilliant volunteers who helped with the move,” she added. “They were a great help and I doubt that we could have managed without them.”

Donations to help with the running costs of the new hospital would be very welcome and can be made through the website www.hartwildlife.org.uk or directly at the hospital. Support would also be welcome at the charity shops in Alton and Andover , and volunteers are always needed.

Members of the public are kindly requested not to leave injured, orphaned or abandoned wildlife outside the door at Dellands as this will cause upset. Please call the new hospital for advice on 01420 562335.

For further information please contact Jackie Grey on 01264 356253.