FoPV Work Morning Roundup - Tuesday 24th June 2025

Lyndon
Jul 2
2 min read

Hello Conservation Volunteers

A big thank you to everybody who came along to our latest work morning where the main task was our first Himalayan balsam pulling session of the year in the Wet Woodland at Forge Dam.

We were two weeks later starting this year so were intrigued as to how much there would be especially with the recent dry weather - would the Wet Woodland be dry with no balsam maybe?!

Suitably kitted with wellies, insect repellent and sticks we ventured in at the top north-west corner of the dam, typically the boggiest part where last year we had a major session to remove all balsam (and not forgetting Heather’s determination to remove the last one in the most difficult of conditions in the middle of a very wet bog!). Well, it was still boggy (a quick test with a cane took no effort to push it down 4 to 5 feet), definitely not as much balsam as last year but as soon as you get your "eye in" spotting it there was still plenty to remove in this area, pulling gently low down to remove by the roots and hang over tree branches to dry out and die.

After the initial foray, the volunteers split up into small groups pushing further in to find and remove this non-native invader. Some of the plants were in flower over 6 foot tall, some smaller ones not yet in flower, and other very small ones around a foot tall found nestling around tree trunks or in a patch of brambles.

We also came across some rubbish which had been dumped which seemed a little strange as it is not the easiest place to get in (reported to Ranger Matt for removal).

So, plenty of balsam removed with still more to go, tagging areas on "what3words" to return to which we spotted on our way out.

There were reports of people losing their wellies but fortunately we didn't lose any volunteers (although we were scratched from the brambles and stung by nettles even with long sleeved shirts, trousers and gloves on)!

The other ongoing task is the preparation of the railings above the slide prior to painting with Dave and the painting crew continuing to remove the old flaky paint prior to painting with the special green paint which had mysteriously disappeared from our store. It turned out the Parks dept had "borrowed" it to paint the toilet doors in Endclifffe Park! Hopefully it's back when the crew are ready to start painting.....

The next work morning is on Thursday 10th July. An email will be sent out nearer the time with details.

Lyndon

A Selection of photos from the work morning

Heather looking for balsam on the edge of the worst bog!