8 GGers joined a half dozen Sustrans volunteers to clear brambles back from a 50 metre stretch of the Foss Islands cycle path (Route 65).

We were also joined by Rachel, a Leeds based GGer. After a very comprehensive H&S briefing from Danny, the Sustrans organiser, we grabbed our choice of tool from a wide range including spades, forks, rakes, shears, loppers and crowbars and set to work.

We quickly learned the best way of rolling back brambles using first shears and loppers to free them from the ground and then using the crowbars to lever and roll them back on themselves whilst avoiding falling into the neck.

Meanwhile a stalwart few with spades and forks dug away at the roots left behind. Egg’s method of two footed leaps onto her fork was definitely not in Danny’s safe tool handling briefing!

Rolling back the brambles uncovered huge quantities of discarded drinks bottles and cans alongside bits of TV, fridge and a large rotting suitcase full of old electric tools, presumably no longer in working order. We filled several sacks of this detritus for Sustrans to take away.

Danny thanked us for our sterling efforts and is looking forward to more good deeds in the Spring.