…and things have really come along way in one afternoon. With the kind help of the Standish Community Forum I gained the use of a brush cutter. If you have brambles these beasts are an excellent tool to help you quickly see the wood from the trees.

I worked my way from my start point all the way up to Somerfield, opening up the path by a good three to four foot. A word of caution though if you intend to use on of these tools - firstly you’ll get carried away and not want to stop because it is so easy. But you’ll also feel it the day after, the vibration from the machine really leaves you with a distinct shake in the hands and a few aches!! It’s a small price to pay though I’m sure.

As I was brush cutting I thought it would be useful to explain my personal version of how this path should look in the next 12 months, that’s if we receive a load of cinder from the council and of course the wild flower seeds!

Below is a picture of what I achieved yesterday you can see the area I have cut, this is only a quarter of the whole area but it will give you an idea, the second photograph is how in my mind I see it looking this time next year - much better I reckon. As this is now becoming a big project I would love to hear what people think of it so far and their feelings of what it could look like - click to enlarge the pics

Anyway off to litter pick the load of litter I unearthed yesterday.

Thanks to the Community Forum for purchasing the brush cutter and of course to the Wigan Council for the bin bags, the gloves, the high vis jacket and the litter picker - take what you like from that what you like.

Just a thought to close - how cool would it be if the Standish Mineral Line was given designated Cycle Path Status and made good for the whole stretch!!! Now that would be progress.

A foot note to add to this - the following day I collected 5 bags of litter.  Since then the amount of litter has dropped amazingly!  Food for thought maybe litter breads litter?