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Molehills in the Churchyard, Sutton Bingham

Moles have been busy leaving there marks between the graves.

Moles live in loose, easily diggable soil throughout Britain, from sea level to about 3000ft, but there are no moles in Ireland. They do not colonise poor mountain soil or acid, sandy soil because these contain few earthworms.

Moles belong to the order of mammals called insectivores, and are related to hedgehogs.

Molehills spoil lawns and sports grounds and reduce the value of pasture. They may also damage blades of cutting machines. In addition, moles rob the soil of earthworms. Farmers and gardeners are therefore their chief enemies. Other enemies include owls, foxes, dogs and cats.

The mole's name is possibly a shortened form of 'mouldiwarp', a names still used in northern England, which is derived from Old English 'molde', meaning earth and 'werpen', meaning to throw. But how can they make the hills when the earth is as hard as iron.