20th August 2008 is the day that the Standish Mineral Line Guerilla Gardening/Community Action project comes of age.

Today will see the start of what will be a mile long transformation of the entire path from Almond Brook Hotel to Somerfield, making a new footpath without puddles and mud!!!

With 200 tonnes of crush and run sandstone being delivered over the next few days, a good handful of mechanical diggers and dumpers, not to mention a band of merry men, a new footpath with be laid on the entire length of the Standish Line.

This next stage in the phoenix like rise of the Standish Line has been brought about by the collaboration of -

• me the Guerilla Gardener
• the Community Forum
• A gentleman that relishes the opportunity to make a difference but would prefer to remain anonymous
• Two great councillors who have given at very least their moral support

From humble Guerilla Gardener beginnings with secateurs, spade and a rake not to mention a passion to make something better, the project has now become a consolidated community action to regenerate not only a piece of heritage, but breath life into a path that we hope will become a vital pedestrian artery through the village.

Over the next few days I hope to show pictures of progress as the new track is laid and over the next few months show the planting on 2000 Quick thorn bushes, the sowing of 1 kilo of wildflower seeds and of course the growth and development of the new Standish Line.

To think the next time Google maps updates it’s imagery instead of seeing a black scar that is being slowly eaten up by decay, we will see a cream sandstone path cutting right through the heart of Standish - then we will be able to point to the map and say “look you can see Standish and the Line”

Just goes to show - if you have enough passion and determination to do something anyone can make a difference. The trick is do it, just because you can and expect nothing else other than the warm glow of knowing at very least have made a small but positive mark on the environment. Pick one piece of litter up, plant one small shrub, think before dropping dog poo and you yourself can say for that split second or so - ‘I made a difference’ - try it it’s easy!