FoPV Work Morning Roundup - Thursday 14th August 2025

Hello Conservation Volunteers

A few varied tasks for our volunteers this time around Forge Dam and Wire Mill ......but also some more of the same!

As the Himalayan balsam is nearing to the seed popping time, we sent one group of volunteers into the Wet Woodland and another further upstream on the lookout for any remaining balsam before their seeds are scattered far and wide.

The group who ventured into the Wet Woodlands on the lookout for any which may have been missed were not disappointed - a large stand was surprisingly found and dealt with.

We had come across a patch just beyond Carr Bridge last time, so the second group went back to scout out any in that area and were totally amazed as we got to the junction of the Porter with the Mayfield. Hidden from general view was the largest area of balsam we had ever seen, 10 to 12 feet tall, stems as thick as a man's wrist with root systems the size of dinner plates - see the photos! These had clearly been growing here quite merrily for many years without intervention.

With the fallen down trees, car tyres, rubbish and general terrain of steep banks, plus the densely packed balsam amongst the giant horsetail it was difficult to access this area, but eventually we cleared our way in. The thick stems and root systems required a lot more effort than the usual "gentle pull" of a stem to remove them, especially when the root systems were growing under logs and stones. Although a large amount was cleared there is still much more in this area needing attention.

The green paint for the railings had arrived so our painting crew were able to start putting the topcoat on the railings above the slide. The feedback was the green paint went on well and looking at the first completed section it matches really well with the additional new green railings erected a few months ago. They did however run out of the red primer to complete the primer coat and struggled to reach the back of the railings directly above the top of the slide with the steep drop, suggesting they may need to be roped up in order to reach it!  (The kids don't seem to have any fear climbing all over it, maybe we should ask them to paint the back guys!!)

Elsewhere...Barbara and Mandy headed off towards Wire Mill to do some cutting back of foliage around the paths and steps and tidied up around the Boulsover monument - it all looks neater girls!

Ann, a few days earlier had done some strimming of nettles in the playground as they were growing a few feet out towards the swings. They are now cut back to the fencing.

Thank you to all the volunteers who joined us and also to Mandy for the white chocolate chips biscuits - three was just the right number after a hard balsam pulling session!

The next work morning is on Tuesday 26th August. An email will be sent out nearer the time with details.

Lyndon

A Selection of photos from the work morning

Sorry, but that's not a whopper Chris....

....but this is! Martin with a couple of whoppers. Note the size of the root ball.

Martin and Chris working their way thorugh the balsam on the Mayfield

Martin clearing the foreground but plenty more in the background. Anybody seen Tony?

Chris has found the 10 to 12 foot ones!

Roots firmly under the rocks....

....and under a log

Comparing the size of the stem to a garden cane!

Cleared area with the balsam draped all over the fallen tree. Where's Tony?!

First section completed in green (matches the two new sections to the left)

Back section not painted above the steep drop to the slide

Barbara weeding around the Boulsover monument

After.....

Some before photos around Wire Mill

....and after

Nettles in the playground poking through the fencing

...and after strimming by Ann. An amazing transformation, we'd forgotten the fence was there!