The ducks, they’ve gone on strike

4:55pm Wednesday 14th May 2008

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NO, Mr John Miller (May 1), your experience of roaming ducks around High Town and beyond was by no means due to your over-imbibing. They’ve gone on strike. Just fancy one ever getting into the council office. Here’s another true story. In my wee pond around the corner, I have again this year a mother duck lovingly caring for her brood of four. I’m feeding them, and my small courtyard is now inundated and soiled by many duck friends who can’t quite make it to Tesco but are madly keen to assert their rights to a healthy meal. Yesterday a kindly and distraught lady visited me to find out what had happened to my little family.

The day before she’d found a mother and ten ducklings standing at my gate. Unable to contact me, she led them round to the duck pond. I had to explain to her that my little family of four ducklings were still with me cosily ensconced under their mum’s wings.

We then realised sadly she’d discovered another hungry lot looking for food. I admit it hasn’t yet reached the feeding of the 5,000, but I’m kept really busy.

Now, some neighbours and I are being invaded by ravenous rodents, which are also using the pond. Each time I feed the ducks, they pop around for their share. A fee of £40 to the council will hopefully rid me of these vermin. Let’s hope the council will get its act together and put an end to the saga before we all go crackers.

PETAL O’HEA, Mills Street, Hereford.