Hedgehog Hotel open for guests

Environment Minister Mark Durkan is pictured with some of the children at Raceview Mill for the opening of the new Hedgehog Hotel. INBT31-204AC

Environment Minister Mark H Durkan performed the official opening when he visited the Mill to see restorations works at first hand.

Raceview Mill dates back to 1806. It is presently a centre for arts and crafts, enterprise and tourism.

Mark H Durkan said: “ Raceview Mill is a shining example of how we can preserve our historic past for generations to come. It is a new innovative centre emerging from an old industrial building.

“I was privileged to meet some of the entrepreneurs who have ensured that this is now a hub for arts and crafts, enterprise and tourism.

“Preservation doesn’t just come in bricks and mortar though. We need to preserve our animal kingdom as well.

“I very much welcome the new Hedgehog Habitat at this site as it will encourage young and old alike to protect this gardener’s friend.

“There were 36.5million hedgehogs in the 1950s in the UK. There are fewer than one million now. The statistics speak for themselves.

“We need to wake up to this before hedgehogs disappear. I commend Raceview Mill for taking a lead in this and encourage others to provide similar hedgehog habitats.”