Summary 2015

In July, local volunteers and a group from Lloyds Bank tackled both sides of the riverbank between Glebe Fields and Meadow Mead. A couple of weeks later, we went back and cleared up some stragglers and some new growth in the same area.

In August, using the waders we received from SITA Trust, we were able to wade along the river bed from the footbridge just off Mill Lane upstream to the flow measuring station. The people whose houses back on to the river do a pretty good job of keeping the Himalayan Balsam under control and we were able to clear out the remaining patches along this stretch of the river. Unfortunately we weren't able to get past the small weir at the measuring station and had to retrace our steps back down the river.

In mid August a group of us went into the field behind St Peter's Church. This looks as though it has been neglected for years and there is a huge amount of balsam in it. We were able to do a couple of hours work before it started to rain. A week or so later John and I went back and did a bit more but we barely scratched the surface as far as clearing this area is concerned

Fortunately some stretches of the river are still clear of Himalayan Balsam.

Introduction

Volunteers have been involved with clearing Himalayan Balsam along our local stretch of the River Frome for a few years by joining working parties organised by the Avon Invasive Weed Forum (AIWF). This year, 2015, AIWF organised a further working party and local volunteers have also been out taking action. Although we have managed to reduce the incidence of this unwelcome invader along the riverbanks in the centre of the village, it continues to spread in less accessible parts of the riverbank. These areas are then able to re-colonise areas previously cleared.

Field behind St Peter's Church 2015 

As part of the Frampton Cotterell Village Action group, we have been looking for ways to do more. We have now identified a core team of volunteers who are keen to tackle this problem and this year AIWF presented us with some equipment donated by the SITA Trust which will enable us to reach more parts of the river bank. In 2016 and beyond we plan to have regular sessions tackling Himalayan Balsam along our local section of the Frome. Ultimately we hope to join up with other groups working along the Frome to reduce the incidence of Himalayan Balsam to manageable levels.

The map below shows the Frome where it passes through Frampton Cotterell. We have largely cleared the area between Meadow Mead and the Glebe Fields and the area behind Mill Lane and we've made a start on the field behind St Peter's Church.  It's getting a bit late in the season now to do more clearing as the seeds have already formed though it's still very satisfying to pull up a few more plants while out for a walk along the river!