Today we rolled up our sleeves and got tangled up in a thorny situation—literally! Teaming up with the Friends of Unigate Wood, we took on the brambles in a battle of “shears” determination. With secateurs in hand, we hacked through the overgrowth, uncovering not just long-forgotten woodland paths but also a treasure trove of unexpected finds. From a rogue trampoline (clearly jumping at the chance to escape) to a mysteriously abandoned dog cage, a washing machine, plus a jungle of hoses, wires, and bottles—it was a cleanup mission with plenty of surprises. Thankfully, we had a “pawsome” supervisor in Doug the Pug, who made sure we stayed on track (and didn’t slack on belly rub duties).

Midway through, we took a well-earned break for coffee and biscuits—because even the best volunteers need to refuel! Then it was back to work, hauling out the last of the debris and giving Unigate Wood a much-needed facelift. By the end, the space was looking spruced up and a whole lot tidier. A huge thanks to everyone who pitched in—turns out, when it comes to woodland makeovers, we’re pretty tree-mendous!