Back in February 2011 I wrote about the rape of our hedgerows. It is bad enough to hack away at our hedges in February - but to do it in May when the bushes will be supporting the nests of many of our song birds, containing eggs or even baby birds preparing to fledge. As if our birds are not having a hard enough time struggling to survive.

There is a beautiful lane near us, lined on each side by high hedges of rhododendron bushes. At this time of year they are in full flower, a beautiful sight! Imagine my horror when we drove out this afternoon to visit a garden under the National Garden Scheme. and found a scene of utter massacre along that lane. The hedge had been massacred - raped - totally despoiled - obviously using mechanical cutters that had bitten deep into the hedges on both sides, taking away all the leafy branches and flower buds, and goodness alone knows how many of those nests. Why do this? And at this time of year? Am I the only one upset by such wanton destruction?