The Friends of The Carrs will be hosting their annual Balsam Bash on Sunday 27th June in order to reduce and ideally eradicate, the Himalayan Balsam from The Carrs.
This annual event started some 4 years ago because although the Balsam looks attractive it grows very quickly and smoothers all the other plants, preventing them from growing. The consequence is a marked fall in the diversity of plant life on The Carrs and therefore in the insect and birds as well.
Colin Shepherd, chair of Friends of the Carrs, explained "As the seeds from the Balsam can remain dormant in the ground for 2 or 3 years this is a long term project. To date we have enjoyed some success but the Balsam is wide spread on The Carrs and it will take a long time to bring it under full control, especially as seeds can be easily washed down from higher up the river.
As an experiment we have this year sprayed some areas with weed killer to try and remove more in one summer. It looks as if the work done so far has killed off some of the plants but it will be later in the summer before we really know how successful this iniative has been. However there will be more than enough Balsam for people to attack on the 27th."
The beauty of the Balsam Bash is that no experience or skills are required, just a willingness to hack down or pull out the plant. "It is not often you can be destructive with official approval and it is a very satisfying way of letting off steam and working out frustrations" added Colin.
This year's Balsam Bash will take place from 2pm to 4pm on Sunday 27th June. All equipment will be provided so volunteers just need to meet at the Parish Hall car park.
Photos from the Balsam Bash last year show just how vigorously the plant can grow and why it needs removing.
