Standish Guerilla Gardeners

OK - I own up it was me on the BBC so a while but it wasn’t me who puled the plug on the audio!!

One interesting thing is that they approached me, so for anyone who is thinking of doing a bit just do it as Nike would say!

Sooner rather than later someone will take note and appreciate your efforts it just seems that for some bizzare reason I have more people than I ever imagined taking note and appreciating it.

Anyway on a good news front I am being given my own wheelie bin so I can litter pick along the full mile stretch - donated by Wigan Council.  To be fair to Wigan Council they do have there hands tied somewhat with this path simply because of the fact that it isn’t a recongnised and legal footpath so can’t really do anything.  So the donation of a wheelie bin is wicked - rest assured it’s a bigger deal than most would imagine and better than a wheel barrow for picking litter.

And some more good news  I have seedlins coming up already - which is normal for wild flower seeds, they all seems to have taken quite nicely so hopefully next year there will be a bountiful amount of wildflowers.

And finally - the path has been battered with rain since it was laid but I can report that it has remained passable and relatively puddle free - more importantly it drains really really well.

BTW those who want to see the complete story that was aired on North West Tonight you can watch it again at - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7605282.stm 

TTFN

Dave

28th August 2008 can now go down in history as the day the mile long Standish Line was resurfaced from top to bottom.

With the kind assistance of many, the pathway is now ready to be used by the communities of Standish and Shevington Moor a like.

Some may say I was the inspiration for this project to be completed - but to be fair I was only the initial catalyst.  Many had dreams of making this happen for many many years, all I did was dedicate manpower and a sure foot in the right direction to make my own personal community project dream come true.

Now with the path resurfaced in sandstone from top to toe and 1 kilo of wild flower seeds already sprouting the Standish Line can be enjoyed by many thousands of people over the coming years.

But…

In my mind this is just the start, we can all be Guerilla Gardeners, we can propagate a shrub, buy a new plant or scatter a few seeds to help make the Line not only a practical path but a beautiful path!  One which could become an oasis of flora and fauna a like.  Indeed we can all pick up a little litter as we meander our way.

In the past 12 months I have seen an increased incidence of butterflies, bees, frogs and indeed wildflower all down to encouraging the habitiat to grow.

So why not do your bit now - plant a tree, shrub or even spread some seeds.  And if you can’t do that why not give a donation large or small to the Standish Community Forum one things for sure they do a great job and obviously help make a difference.  The Community Forum are always looking for volunteers and forum members - it’s your forum so why not use it!  Meetings are held at Standish Community Centre every month.

And on a final note if anyone does want to join me in keeping things tidy and encouraging wild life - then drop me a line, you can do it on your own but if you would like a bit of direction get in touch.

Sometimes when people set out on these type of tasks you expect that mother nature will at least play fair - but sometimes she doesn’t.

When the Romans came to England if during there first summer they’d have experienced the weather we have had over the last few months they would have issued one order - GO HOME!!!

I visited the bottom of the track today to see a few desconsolate blokes sat having lunch in what could only be described as a mud bath. The rain we have had over night has flooded all that they did yesterday and made the job a whole bunch harder. The decision has was taken though to work with the water problem and lay a 5ft track through the middle, that way the water would be able to run off and the centre section remain dry.

So with a broken bike now with a buttled wheel due to sinking in a rather deep muddy puddle (I know I don’t have much luck with bikes!!) I returned to show everyone the pictures of a rather sorry, wet and muddy Standish Line.