Burrs, Brambles and Bindweed

Two years ago the field behind St Peter's Church was a sea of pink balsam flowers.

St Peter's Field 2 Years Ago

This year it was mainly confined to the edges, along the river bank or along the churchyard wall. However access to it was hampered by tangles of burrs, brambles and bindweed.

Burrs and bindweed

Using walking sticks and slashers, we cut our way through to the riverbank and cleared all the balsam there apart from some clumps on the opposite bank. Unfortunately, following recent rain it wasn't possible to wade across to reach them.

Having cleared the riverbank we made our way back along the edge by the churchyard where the balsam is growing amongst tangles of brambles. With much cursing we able to cut our way into the brambles and clear most of the balsam though every time we turned around we seemed to spot another one lurking in the undergrowth.

Another visit will probably be necessary to get at some on the opposite bank and further upstream.