Balsam bashing

Very successful working party this morning, to pull Himalayam Balsam plants out before it sets seed. It has pretty flowers, but is massively invasive and if left unchecked would choke the Beck to the detriment of all the native vegetation and the animals dependent on it.

Here's our chairman choking some plants in retaliation.

And here's what he has to say on the matter:

"Dear All

Saturday morning’s exertions were recorded for posterity and here (below) is one of the best.

Thanks again for helping with this annual task which counts among SCT’s success stories.  It must be so  because this year we had to penetrate so much further just to find any Himalayan Balsam to pull out.  I really think we got it all for which not just the community of Southrepps should be grateful but the whole of the Rivers Ant and Bure watershed including all the Northern Broads right the way to the sea.  So now you can feel justly proud of your achievement on Saturday morning – thank you.

Regards

John"

The plant grows along the sides of the Beck and anywhere damp enough nearby to support it, so a certain amount of exploring the deep dark recesses of the site is needed. Here are some intrepid volunteers on their return from the interior.