Many moons ago - Wednesday the 24th April 2002 - Jim came to our brownies. 

The week before Brownowl told the brownies that a  man was coming with some snakes for us to look at and five of the brownies went white. Brownowl assured us that she would not put any of us in danger and that  the snakes would be more scared of us than we were of them. She said she was  100% certain that no one would get bitten but some of us were not convinced. Tawny owl went very quiet and said she would hide in the corner. The next week  came and some of us were very excited, four of us were a bit scared and one of us did not appear. Tawny owl hid in the corner. Jim brought in some boxes - none looked too big but we could not see what was in them.

We all sat in a big circle except Tawny owl who had come out of the corner but was still not joining us. Jim introduced himself and then the snakes he had brought. They were all lovely and none of them bit. We learnt all about snakes and why we should not be scared of them.

We learnt never to put a snake round your neck,

that snakes don't often bite, unless you smell of  food cos they are not very bright,

that snakes can't hear but that if they feel you coming they will go away and hide,

that you should leave any snake you see in the wild  alone,

that there are only 2 snakes in Britain - the Adder and the Grass Snake.

Brownowl learnt that most of us had seen Predator -  we think she was a bit shocked.

We all got touching a snake and had to wash our  hands with smelly stuff in case we got salmonella.

Most of us liked the baby snake best but some, including Snowy and Brownowl preferred the beautiful colours of the bigger snakes.

Jim showed us how big the biggest snakes were - we wondered why he had brought some rope.

At the end Jim introduced us to a Tarantula. Most of us did not like the big hairy spider and Jim explained that we were right to be wary as they can flick hair in your face.

By the end of the night everyone bar Tawny had touched a snake and she almost did. Those of us who were scared before realised that there was nothing to be scared of.

We all learnt a lot and many of us now want a  snake.

Madison who has a snake got advice from Jim.

Her mum was pleased and spoke to Jim at the end.

Many of our mums were not so pleased as we are pestering them to get us a snake.

We have asked Brownowl if Jim can come again and she has said that maybe he will next year.

Thank you Jim from Brownowl and the brownies for an  interesting and informative evening enjoyed by brownies, Brownowl, Tawny, and  Snowy.

3rd Larkhall Brownies