Standish Guerilla Gardeners

Hiya to everyone who’s visited the site in the last 12 months it’s had 1,500 visits from all round the globe (I’ve posted my Google Analytics map on the right) – strange really I only started this as a personal “because I can type thing”.  Then the next thing you know I’m on TV, in magazines, the newspapers not to mention picking up the Community Environment last year award.

Anyway I’ve not posted for some time and thought I’d better fill people in on what’s been happening.

Well not a lot of gardening sadly just a lot of litter picking trying to keep the rubbish at bay.  Main problem, Subway wrappers dropped by some of the Standish High School children as they eat their breakfast sub on the way to school – grrr get’s on my nerves, and the powers that be at Standish High School never reply to emails which is even more annoying.

However I have a new little volunteer on the litter picking front, my 5 year old girl, she’s got her own litter picking device and seems to revel in tidying the place up.  We have been given an industrial size blue wheelie bin to collect in – which we fill at least once a month.

There is plenty signs of growth now from both the wild flower seeds and indeed the trees we planted last year, we lost about 6 tree out of 20 which is really good.  So everything in the garden is rosy so to speak.

So what’s next?

Hmm I’ve decided to plant random food type plants along the path, I have raspberry canes to go in, I planted a plum tree in the winter and intend to buy some apple and pear trees to plant up and down – and plant donations would be great, esp productive edible plants.

I’ve got to thinking that it’s all very well and good planting trees and tidying the place up – great, and it seems that so many people enjoy it, but why not make the land more productive?  So that’s what I’m going to do next, plant food! – but keep it quiet I don’t want a big song and dance made about it this time, let’s face it I haven’t done anything that amazing.

I have to say though I am looking forward to Google updating the maps for this area – then I’ll be able to see the brand new sand stone path running the full mile from the top of Standish to the bottom.

As soon as we see signs of wildflowers along the path I’ll post some pictures.

Happy gardening, guerilla or otherwise.

Dx

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.