Drusillas’ Spider Expert, Angela Hale, Gives Lady Hale a Run for Her Money
UK Supreme Court President, Lady Hale, has taken the world by storm over the past few days.
However, despite her damming announcements regarding Boris Johnson, most people’s attention seems to have been on her large sparkling spider brooch.
Drusillas in-house spider expert was shocked to hear of the furore surrounding Lady Hale’s Brooch. Challenging her not only in name but also in the fashion department, Angela Hale, has a collection of spider jewellery that would knock Lady Hale’s socks off.
Angela Hale said: “I have been collecting spider jewellery for over 30 years, what you can see here is not even a third of my collection. I have everything from little sliver spider earrings, to necklaces containing real spiders and even a pendant moulded around real goliath tarantula fangs.”
“I would love to show Lady Hale my collection of insect brooches I think they would be right up her street! I am envious of her brooch I must admit. But one brooch is just a drop in the ocean compared to my collection – I have literally hundreds of different pieces, collected from all corners of the globe.”
When she’s not modelling jewellery, Angela is busy helping Drusillas with their Spider Phobia courses and creepy crawly days. Known as ‘Tarangela’ at the zoo, Angela knows almost all there is to know about these curious creatures and keeps a collection of over 150 different live arachnids at home in her spare bedroom. She is also the secretary of the British Tarantula Society.
Angela spends a great deal of time trying to re-educate people about these amazing creatures and she and her husband, fellow arachnophile Ray, will be hosting Drusillas’ Spider Saturday on 12th October 2019. This exciting event offers an insight into the eight-legged invaders and their unique set of behaviours and characteristics.
Angela commented: “I am so passionate about spiders; they really are quite beautiful and fascinating if you give them a chance! I am really proud of both my collection of real spiders and my spider accessories. We actually even have over 4,000 books on spiders at home as well…you might say we are a little bit obsessed!”
So, there we have it, Lady Hale might have rocked that brooch on Tuesday but she hasn’t got anything on Angela.
Located just off the A27 in Alfriston, Drusillas Park is open daily from 10am. For more information, please call 01323 874100 or visit www.drusillas.co.uk
Drusillas’ Spider Expert Defends Her Eight-Legged Friends
It’s that time of year again when our homes and gardens become overrun with eight-legged invaders. Giant house spiders, which can grow to as big as 12cm in length, will be becoming increasingly present in UK homes as the weather starts to get cooler and wetter.
Tarangela with Oli Murrs
For Drusillas Park’s spider expert, Angela Hale, it is a familiar tale. At this time of year, she can expect to be contacted by a number of nervous callers each day, who have stumbled across a larger than normal unwelcome guest.
Spider expert, Angela Hale commented: “As we approach the autumn season, adult male spiders will be starting to move around and look for mates, so it will appear as though there are suddenly a lot more spiders around. Lots of female spiders will also be pregnant at this time of year so they will appear larger and a little clumsier as their bodies are swollen with eggs. Due to the temperate conditions a lot of people have been out working in their gardens and spending time outdoors. They are therefore noticing the spiders more, as they are larger and therefore more visible at present.”
Tarangela and husband Ray with The One Shows George McGavin
“In addition to this, the milder weather has meant there are a lot of insects around at the moment, providing an abundance of food for spiders to feast on. This has allowed spider populations to soar.”
Known as ‘Tarangela’ at the zoo, Angela knows almost all there is to know about these curious creatures and keeps a collection of over 150 different arachnids at home in her spare bedroom. She is also the secretary of the British Tarantula Society.
Tarangela wades across a jungle river
in search of spiders…
….she knows no fear!
Angela spends a great deal of time trying to re-educate people about these amazing creatures and she and her husband, fellow arachnophile Ray, will be hosting Drusillas’ Spider Saturday on 12th October 2019. This exciting event offers an insight into the eight-legged invaders and their unique set of behaviours and characteristics. Visitors can come face-to-face with a wide variety of spiders in Drusillas’ Discovery Centre. The aim of the day is to try and change the public perception of these much-maligned creatures, as well as being fun and informative.
Spider expert, Angela Hale, commented: “Our native spiders pose no threat to us. They are essential to our ecosystem; they are our friends, not our enemies so we need to find a way to learn to live alongside them. They really are more scared of you than you are of them and would much rather run away.”
“Spider Saturday is an informative day when anyone visiting the Park can come and meet a few spiders and learn a little about why they are so important to us all. Come along and be amazed!”
If you are feeling brave why not pop down to Shriek Week at Drusillas Park? Running from Saturday 26th October – Sunday 3rd November there will be lots of opportunities to get up close and personal to all kinds of “fangtastic beasts and mini monsters in the Discover Centre! You can also pop down to see the mystical beast The Gruffalo (Weds 30th October), or stake out ggg-ghosts and ghouls in the haunted house! For full details please visit www.drusillas.co.uk
Spider Saturday at Drusillas
Located just off the A27 in Alfriston, Drusillas Park is open daily from 10am. For more information, please call 01323 874100 or visit www.drusillas.co.uk