Four runners completed another successful community mission for Urban Green in Newcastle parks. Especially well done to Andrew and Amy who both completed a double in the parks this weekend!

We were hacking back the bushes away from the path to make the path less overgrown and so it won’t need cutting again for a couple of years. Emily started litter picking rubbish which was now accessible with some of the scrubs removed.

As usual, we had a tea and coffee break half away through, which was a good opportunity for everyone to warm up with a hot drink. We couldn’t stand around for too long without getting cold though, so we were right back to it.

When cutting down one tree we found a perfectly formed old birds’ nest but with plastic woven into it, which was quite said but highlighted the importance of our litter picking that we often do with goodgym. Park ranger and legend Mike mentioned an interesting study he read about birds using cigarette butts in their nest as the chemical act as an insect repellent to ward off parasites. So maybe its not all bad news.

After a job well done we decided to get some well deserved doughnuts from a local doughnut shop, on the way I realised that my ear was bleeding, I can only assume I was spiked by a thorn as I chopped down a thorny tree, but I was so focused on chopping the tree down I didn’t even notice at the time.

If you not put off by the risk of injury and want to come help us in Newcastle parks we are back in the parks three weeks’ time at Iris brick fields on the Saturday and city Stadium on the Sunday for more gardening!