Join us to tackle Himalayan Balsam on the banks of the River Bollin with Friends of the Bowdon Bollin and the Bollin Valley Partnership!

We will be working in the John O Jerusalem Woods, just off Bow Lane, Altrincham.

No previous experience is required!

It's free to join but registration in advance is essential via this link: Balsam Bash at John O Jerusalem Tickets, Wednesday, July 1  •  10 AM - 1 PM | Eventbrite

The meeting point and parking is down the track on the corner of Bow Lane past Bow Green Farm What3Words:///pelting.drones.political

Google maps location here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/zqkwsimcPr6QwjhJ8

This balsam bash will run from 10:00am -1:00pm. Work will involve hand pulling of balsam plants to prevent it from going to seed and spreading further. Full training will be provided.

The session is outdoors so make sure you have waterproofs and sun protection as needed. Bring plenty of food and water to keep you going. Bring your own work gloves if you have them (we will only have a small number available to borrow if you don't have your own). Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and sturdy footwear. Long trousers and long sleeves are advised to protect your arms and legs, as balsam often grows alongside nettles and brambles!

Himalayan balsam was introduced as a garden plant in the early 19th century and is now widespread in the UK, especially along urban rivers. Himalayan balsam out-competes native species in ecologically sensitive areas, particularly river banks. It grows in dense stands along river banks it can impede flow at times of high rainfall, increasing the likelihood of flooding. Die back of extensive stands over winter can leave river banks bare and exposed to erosion.

BEACON (Bollin Environmental Action and Conservation), hosted by Mersey Rivers Trust, is a group of people working towards controlling and eradicating invasive non-native species and improving water quality within the Bollin catchment, which includes all the tributaries, meres, brooks and streams connected to the River Bollin such as the River Dean and Mobberley Brook.

See the Friends of Bowdon Bollin website for more opportunities to tackle balsam in the area: https://www.f-o-b-b.co.uk/whats/