Standish Guerilla Gardeners

Hey really good news today, with the help of Cllr Neil R Whittingham I’ve possibly secured 12 new trees for the project courtesy of a Mr Roger Gill.  I believe the trees to be quite a good size and considering the eucalyptus tree gave up the struggle to live, 12 new trees down this stretch will make a massive difference.  The offset in carbon alone over the years will be massive not to mention the overall enviromental impact that they will make.  Thanks guys for your help and kind donation - now where’s that spade!

On another note, yesterday I collected 5 black bags of litter from the stretch, I was suprised that it only took a couple of hours, but the difference is quite amazing.  I’m a firm believer that litter breeds litter, so this should be a good test of the theory.  I’ll check back over the week to see if the litter situation has improved.

If any one knows where I can get small signs, like ‘No littering’ or ‘No Dog Poo’ (especially the last one) I’d appreciate you dropping me a message.  I think if we could put a few of these up it would start to look like someone is actually doing something and watching out for these things.

…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?

Hey it’s happening, Standish Community Forum have made the decision to get thing moving properly and have instructed me to buy a brush cutter that can of course be used on other projects.

Wicked - where moving now, just cinders and seed?  Anyone?