Back to our roots at Danesmead Wood

Several of us came straight to this task from a previous one (stopping only to pick up some healthy snacks from Greggs). We'd been digging up lots of roots using mattocks and spades, so we were all delighted to find out that our next task was ... to dig out roots using mattocks and spades. Bring it on!

The Friends of Danesmead Woods are transforming a large area of woodland into a wildflower meadow to increase the biodiversity of the area. They'd already cleared the area by chopping down the shrubs, but the base of the shrubs and their surprisingly extensive, and reluctant-to-be-removed root systems were all still in place. We had an impressive nineteen GoodGymers, several volunteers from the Friends, and one very enthusiastic dog, but there was still clearly a lot of hard work ahead of us.

It's really satisfying when you get a really big one. -- Mel

Everyone got stuck in, with mattocks swinging (safely, and in a controlled manner), spades shoveling, and Digby the dog running around chasing sticks. Mel seemed to spend a surprising amount of time on her back - those roots go quite suddenly when they finally do give up their struggle to remain in the ground!

We were all hugely relieved when someone shouted that it was time for a break, and there was cake. Sadly, Egg decided we hadn't earned it quite yet and made us crack on a bit more. It was a long five minutes, but the hour mark came at last and the cake was excellent. Luckily most people had managed at least two pieces before Digby decided to stick his head into the tin to get his.

Suitably refreshed, we all got back to work and managed to clear pretty much the whole area in the next half hour. Satisfied in a job well done we gathered for a well-earned photo in front of the huge pile of removed roots.