FoPV Work Morning Roundup - Thursday 13th August 2026

Lyndon
2 days ago
3 min read

Hello Conservation Volunteers

With temperatures of 32-33C forecast our most dedicated volunteers still turned out for our work morning up the Mayfield. Our task was to venture back to where the gigantic balsam grows.

A small group had visited for part of the previous session and done a little pulling, but we were back to have a full session for only our second year in this area. Spread over the sides of the Mayfield and steep valley side the 12-foot monsters were in places difficult to pull out in the dry soil. Other areas were difficult to get into with brambles and holly which needed cutting back first, with Charles at one stage bang in the middle of a large holly bush where the invaders had taken refuge obviously thinking they were untouchable but were no match for Charles who successfully eradicated every single one of them!

Nearby in the middle of a clump of balsam two very small oak seedlings were found to have taken root - hopefully they will survive and grow into large oaks.

Even after the dry summer part of the steep side was still surprisingly boggy to full welly height in places hindering efforts to move around.

When we had removed all the balsam in the area we worked on last year we moved a little further upstream to where a large thick area of balsam was growing at the side of the river. Once it had all been cleared a nice little dingle was in its place (not the Emmerdale type!). Alison at this point had gone round the bend so not sure what it was like up there, but she found and removed another patch.

John had originally said before we set off that he was only going to do an hour due to the heat but along with Charles who told us at one point he was now going they were both still there at the end, with us all having done a much longer session than normal, such is the enjoyment and also quite annoyingly the urge on spotting balsam to pull it out! We were fortunate working in the shade of the trees, so the direct sun and heat was not affecting us which was a major factor and help in being able to stay out longer.

And so, after an extra-long morning session it was time to head back but not before a lot of splashing could be heard - Charles was doing some sort of Splash dance in the river in an effort to keep his balance on the slippery iron-oxidising bacteria caked riverbed (he did successfully manage to stay upright!)

With no Mandy's bakes this time, instead we had an abundance of deliciously sweet blackberries to pick on our way out, finally hitting the sun and heat back at the cafe for a coffee.

Thank you to all those who came out for a most enjoyable and worthwhile time up the Mayfield.

The next work morning is on Tuesday 25th August. An email will be sent out nearer the time with details.

Lyndon

A Selection of photos from the work morning

One patch before....