Friends of the Tame Valley battle the Balsam

Local volunteers braved the heat to take part in a Summer Balsam bash on Sunday morning (25 June). 

Members of Friends of the Tame Valley, a community looking after the valley and surrounding areas, organised the bash to clear the invasive Himalayan Balsam from the river path in Jet Amber Fields.

Balsam is outcompeting native plants, flowers and grasses - conquering vast amounts of land in a short space of time. Unlike some native plants in can tolerate low levels of light; towering above existing habitats; actively killing them off within the area. 

However, the plant can be eliminated with a trust pair of garden gloves and some elbow grease - something that was in abundance on Sunday. Volunteers of all ages helped clear Balsam from the river path, with an enormous amount achieved in a short space of times. 

MP Andrew Gwynne, who helped to form FoTV back in 2021, said: "It was so lovely to lend a helping hand on a hot Sunday morning with plenty of FoTV volunteers. I'd like to say a huge thank you to all those who took time out of their Sunday morning to do battle with the Balsam. 

"With the sheer amount of Balsam in the Valley, it can sometimes feel like fighting an uphill battle. However, slowly but surely FoTV volunteers are making a real difference. 

"Those who aren't yet a Member of FoTV, I'd really encourage you to get involved. I've made great friends, and at the end of the day you feel like you're playing a small part in making the Tame Valley a better place for everyone."

Those wishing to join FoTV can do so by getting in touch at ajgwynne@sky.com 

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