The main thrust of this week’s workday was clearing some of the thicker branches along the new 225 metre Hawthorn Walk at the south end.

In my mind’s eye, I can see a hawthorn and bramble hedge along the fence-line, mature trees released from the tangle, the dense canopy broken down, and the tree structure varied in age and type.

Imagine what this walk will look like in the Spring – full of beautiful white blossom, and then Autumn – red berries galore with birds hopping about feeding up for Winter.

When the heavy vegetation on the sides is cleared it really does feel like a more open and friendly space.

Sunlight floods in and this will bring wildflowers and wildlife. It also gives people a different route to take when walking back and forth, which is part of our pledge to make the path as interesting as possible.

We had a coffee and cookie break and also did a litter pick up and down the first half-mile.

Beer cans and bottles mainly collected – sadly all empty!!

We can now have signs telling people where they are and what the path is called.

We are going for the old ‘totem’ style signs in the original LNWR colours.

I like this for two reasons. It gives us an identity and also just recognises the history of the railway line.

The signs will be 92cm long and 25cm at the wider part and 15cm at the thinner part. The question is, do we try and make them ourselves, or buy them from a sign making company?

A few people have expressed concerns about the steps leading up to the Cawston Bridleway.

We’re looking at what we can do and how we can go about it. The days of us lot carving steps out of the slope are well and truly over, so if it does happen it will be a proper job <did I just hear a collective “phew!!”>.

Well that’s about it for this week. Plenty of fruiting trees and shrubs. Blackberries galore. The path is dry and reasonably wide so enjoy it in the last throes of summer.

As the economic landscape worsens and household budgets get tighter and tighter, we are always here doing our thing and having a laugh. Come along and help. It’s free, friendly and does wonders for mental wellbeing. And if you bring biscuits we promise not to tie you to a tree…

Until next week!

Paul