A PETERSFIELD mother has hidden thousands of small decorated stones in and around the town to bring a smile to finders’ faces, and to promote anti-bullying and anti-littering campaigns.

Ruth Basham (43) and her family hide up to 500 small decorated stones each week in places like Petersfield Heath, the Physic Garden in the High Street, and St Peter’s churchyard.

The former student at The Petersfield School said: “Spreading positive thoughts and making people smile is a big thing of mine and we hide them around the town, and so far the Hidden Rocks group I set up has 8,000 members

“You never know what someone is going through, so a rock with a simple message of ‘you are loved’ can make a difference.

“And hiding decorated rocks to spread kindness and smiles is excellent exercise for children and adults alike, and what better way to get out in the fresh air away from the television and computer games.”

When someone finds a stone decorated by Ruth, or her children Lavinia-Rose (5), Gracie (10) and Alfie (14), and partner Michael, they are asked to post a picture on Ruth’s Hidden Rocks Facebook page, and then re-hide it.

And some can win a prize, stones with ‘Plump Duck’ on can gain the finder a free coffee at the Plump Duck cafe on Petersfield Heath.

But the ones Ruth is most proud of are her anti-bullying stones bearing the message ‘be a buddy not a bully,’ which are hidden near schools and around play areas.

Ruth, who grew up in Rival Moor Road, said: “They have been a massive hit with children and parents, especially with Scouts and Cub groups.

“We are also doing a big push on litter picking, asking members to pick up any rubbish they see and put it in bins.”

Now she and her family live at Medstead, and as well as hiding rocks around Petersfield, they also hide them in the village, and at Bordon Inclosure and Hogmoor Enclosure.

She said: “We have a huge event coming up in Bordon Inclosure on April 4, as part of the Deadwater Valley Trust Easter event.

“Coomers have kindly donated rocks and I and Michael are donating the varnish.

“We have approached a number of companies to see if they would donate pens but we haven’t had an answer yet, so if anyone could help by donating pens that would be really appreciated.”

For more information e-mail Ruth at: [email protected] or message her via the Hidden Rocks Facebook page