Wednesday 29th July 2026 - Newclose Cricket Ground, Blackwater GG #1090

 Terry's photos

As promised on our last visit on 10^th June, we returned to Newclose Cricket Ground to continue pulling Himalayan Balsam in the woodland between the cricket ground and the River Medina.  We returned to where we finished last time – the HB is doing very well!  It’s surprising how wet the ground is considering the hot, dry conditions we are currently experiencing.  Despite our best efforts, there is still a huge amount of HB to be pulled – yet another return is on the cards….

Prior to our tea break, three of our team went to an area at Birchmore Pond to clear a small area of HB that had been left.  They rejoined us at tea break where some of the more sports-interested of us enjoyed a cricket match that was underway – howzat!

Thank you to Terry for the photos.

Wednesday 22nd July 2026 - Stone Farm, Blackwater GG #1089

 Terry's photos

Climbing over a wire fence is often precarious!

Some mighty specimens... (of HB)

The Merstone Stream was tackled again this week, finding remnant groups of the weed (Himalayan Balsam) dotted around. Almost hiding away these populations if left would soon be the source of future spread.  Each plant propels out many hundreds of seeds, explosive almost they use elastic energy, sending them many meters in all directions or onto passing animals to carry them even further. So today we searched… deep ditches – most certainly, dense boundary hedges – oh yes, river banks and wetland – there too. We hope we’ve found them all… for the moment.

The second half we set off to work further north on what is known as ‘Southbank’. By this point the Merstone stream has joined the R Medina. Many more plants here, again we were searching to try and limit the job for next year!  We’ll see.

A video of the explosive seedpods!  https://youtu.be/AhbpZBHLIR0?si=brlJbaigAB5RalBa

Thank you to Terry for the photos and to Mark for the editorial.

Wednesday 15th July 2026 - Stone Farm, Blackwater GG #1088

 Terry's photos

Tea break in some very welcome shade

The collected seed heads

We returned to Stone Farm in Blackwater this week to continue with the perennial task of pulling Himalayan Balsam.  GG-ers split into several groups to target different areas where HB had been spotted.  The original plan had been that we would move onto Southbank (the area below Mole Country Store) after tea break…… but no such luck!  Substantial areas of HB were found – most of them not easy to access.  To add to the pressure a lot of the HB is now flowering and going to seed – so for the first time this year we were collecting the seeds into our seed collecting pouches. 

Due to the hot weather conditions our session started and finished earlier than usual. 

Thanks to Terry for the photos and to Stone Farm for the parking and the brief loan of a mounting block (to enable us to get over a barbed wire fence safely).

Wednesday 8th July 2026 - The Duver & Priory Bay, St Helens GG #1087

 Terry's photos

Mark's photo

Lead weight and line

We returned to the Duver and Priory Bay this week, last visited in April.  We started off with a litter pick across the Duver – looking very dry and brown due to the hot weather we have been experiencing.  Fortunately, we did enjoy a bit of a breeze, but it was hot, hot, hot…..

After tea break the team split into two groups.  One group stayed on the beach in front of the café to complete a survey of litter found within a 100m stretch.  The results will be sent to the Marine Conservation Society.  The other group moved on further down the beach and into Priory Bay.  At the end of the session, it was estimated that we had collected 40 – 45 kgs of litter.  The usual suspects were found – plenty of plastic pieces and fishing nets/line, along with random items of clothing.   

A lead weight on a line was discovered.  A quick internet search informs me that the use of lead weights is strictly regulated due to its toxicity.  Weights must be either 0.06g (or less) or more than 28.35g (1oz).  There are non-toxic alternatives available, the most popular of which are tungsten or tin and brass.

Thank you to Terry for the photos.