IWA Bulletin - July 2014 entertainment in the form of historic diesel and steam locomotives passing close by while the volunteers were working. The age range of volunteers on this session went from two and a half to sixty something, proving this really is an activity that volunteers of all ages can get involved with! IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch was out for its third time on Wednesday 25th June. Rather than a day work party the branch trialled an evening event to make the most of the longer evenings and to provide opportunities for those who work and are busy at the weekends but want to have a go at volunteering. If this is just the kind of opportunity you have been looking for the next evening work party with the branch is on Monday 21st July. Volunteers from IWA Leicestershire Branch, CRT and the Aylestone Meadows Appreciation Society turned out on Tuesday 24th June to tackle the Himalayan Balsam growing along either side
of the towpath of the Grand Union Canal Leicester Section as it borders Aylestone Meadows, south of Leicester. Most of the Himalayan Balsam along this stretch had been pulled or slashed by the time the heat of the hot sunny day made it sensible to stop. The IWA Himalayan Balsam Banner was used in a mobile fashion to alert passers-by to what was going on, on a volunteer’s bicycle, with work gloves and other equipment following in the bicycle’s trailer.
covered about half a mile in each direction checking for and pulling out Himalayan Balsam, which was growing in large quantities at points on the bank. It appears to be spreading from a tributary of the Old River Tone that runs parallel to the canal. This shows just how easily the plant can spread from area to area with up to 800 seeds per plant that are explosively released over a radius of up to 7 metres. Volunteers removed a variety of sized plants that had stems that ranged from being millimetres thick all the way up to 8cm. IWA Himalayan Balsam work parties continue throughout July, dates and locations as well as more information on Himalayan Balsam can be found on the IWA website.
Photo: Volunteers at West Country Branch Himalayan Balsam work party (photo by Stefanie Preston)
IWA West Country Branch also held a Himalayan Balsam pull in the heat of Tuesday 24th June at Bathpool on the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal. Volunteers
Photo: Volunteers from IWA Leicestershire Branch and CRT with Himalayan Balsam banner (photo by Alison Smedley)
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