Today, seven of us met at Hardcastle Crags in West Yorkshire for a day's balsam bashing. It was the Chairman's first visit since November 2017 (!), but others had been much more recently (27th June). The task again was balsam bashing, but this time on a steep hillside ten minutes' walk from the Rangers HQ at Hollin Hall. The presence of balsam in the midst of a wood belied the notion that it grows only on riverbanks.
Ranger Tim explained the reasons for getting rid of the balsam (non-native species, quick growing and shades out everything beneath, shallow root structure which doesn't slow water flow) and a foolproof method of identifying it even if flowerless (the leaves grow in threes from the same point on the stem).
The bash was a tricky job that required concentration because of the steep ground and the abundance of stinging nettles. From time to time mountain bikers passed by, either hurtling down the stoney lane or climbing slowly up it.
It was good to catch up with Matt Smethurst on his first workday since pre-Covid and to welcome newcomer Sean Kilgallon to the group. After five hours' work we had made a small but noticeable dent in the huge expanse of balsam. There is plenty left for the estate's mid-week volunteers to have a go at!
Thanks to Ranger Tim for having us for the day.
Daniel
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