River Guardians Programme
September 2022
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Dear <<First Name>>,
It's September, it's getting to the end of the summer - and it's Goodbye to the Balsam at the end of the ERT Big Balsam Bash. It's great to see clear patches of riverbank and woodland floor where once there was a forest of balsam.
We've had a fantastic run this year - 2 months,10 sites, 14 work parties and 95 volunteers coming out to beat it, bash it, wring it and smash it to smithereens!
So - here is
a really ENORMOUS
THANK YOU!!!
to everyone who has come out bashing with us or helped us put up leaflet boxes so other people can join in the fun, or smiled at the camera or even stepped up to the microphone for the radio report.
You all know who you are but there should probably be an extra mention to a few special people .
the 4Eden group who tackled Himalayan Balsam for the first time this summer.
Andrew, for catching balsam on camera in the Trout Beck catchment
Bob and the invincible Wetheral balsam bashers
Chris, for coming out to all 14 balsam bashing events
Janine, for making filming us fun(ish)
Jenny, for single handedly clearing Himalayan balsam from her patch when no-one else thought it was important
Jen, for coming out with Joe after being inspired by our balsam leaflet
Joe, for finding the tallest plant (3.3m!) this year
the RPA team who swapped their desks for a whole day of balsam bashing in Carlisle
Stephen, for methodically scouring the Caldew for suitable balsam bashing sites
Tim, for spreading the message out to a new and unsuspecting golfing audience
Verity the mushroom princess
and Violet who turned up the tempo by playing Beyoncé through her speakers while we bashed.
Of course there'll be more to go at next year but in the meantime if you've still got Himalayan balsam to bash, you can get more information from our website:
- and download our short guide for help with effective bashing wherever you find it growing:
Cheers, Jenni
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Stephen from Caldew Glass has made a series of Bottle Bottom Suncatchers from the discarded bottles that we've uncovered during our balsam bashing work parties. How's that for creativity?!
They are available from the ERT office - suggested donation £25 - all proceeds to ERT.
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Unless otherwise indicated, our activities are
Suitable for: anyone
Experience: is not needed
Wear/bring: gloves, stout boots or wellies, old work clothes with long sleeves and trousers (to protect against nettles and brambles), waterproofs, drinks, snacks & lunch.
Physical intensity required: indicated by the amount of muscles - 💪 / 💪💪 / 💪💪💪 etc
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Site clearance at the allotment 💪
Thursday 8 September, 2pm - 4.30pm, Gilwilly Industrial Estate, Penrith. . .
Suitable for: anyone who'd like to help secure and prepare this site for a potential new project
Experience: no experience needed.
Wear/bring: gloves and wellies/sturdy footwear, old work clothes, waterproofs, drinks & snacks
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Tree Audit 💪 💪
Saturday 10 September, 11am - 4pm, Flakebridge
Suitable for: anyone who can walk through an overgrown site to check on the trees that were planted a few years ago, clean out any weeds and help remove any guards / posts etc that are no longer needed
Experience: no experience needed.
Wear/bring: gloves and stout footwear, old work clothes, waterproofs, drinks, snacks & lunch.
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Site clearance & preparation at the allotment 💪
Wednesday 14 September, 11am - 4pm, Gilwilly Industrial Estate, Penrith
Suitable for: anyone who'd like to help secure and prepare this site for a potential new project
Experience: no experience needed.
Wear/bring: gloves and wellies/sturdy footwear, old work clothes, waterproofs, drinks, snacks & lunch.
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Tree Audit 💪
Thursday 15 September, 10am - 3pm, Glassonby
Suitable for: anyone who can walk through an overgrown site to check on the trees that were planted a few years ago, clean out any weeds and help remove any guards / posts etc that are no longer needed
Experience: no experience needed.
Wear/bring: gloves and stout footwear, old work clothes, waterproofs, drinks, snacks & lunch.
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Site clearance & preparation at the allotment 💪
Monday 19 September, 10am - 3pm, Gilwilly Industrial Estate, Penrith
Suitable for: anyone who'd like to help secure and prepare this site for a potential new project
Experience: no experience needed.
Wear/bring: gloves and wellies/sturdy footwear, old work clothes, waterproofs, drinks, snacks & lunch.
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Water Vole Habitat Enhancement 💪
Tuesday 20 September, Wednesday 21 September & Thursday 22 September, 10am - 3pm, Whale Farm nr Askham
This is a joint work party with an outward bound group from Ullswater. We'll be doing a mixture of wetland wildflower plug planting, management of bankside vegetation and wetland meadow maintenance.
Suitable for: anyone with reasonable level of mobility
Experience: no experience needed.
Wear/bring: gloves and stout footwear, old work clothes, waterproofs, drinks, snacks & lunch.
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Site preparation at the allotment 💪
Tuesday 27 September, 2pm - 4.30pm, Gilwilly Industrial Estate, Penrith
Suitable for: anyone who'd like to help secure and prepare this site for a potential new project
Experience: no experience needed.
Wear/bring: gloves and wellies/sturdy footwear, old work clothes, waterproofs, drinks & snacks.
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Tree Audit 💪
Saturday 1 October, 10am - 3pm, location tbc
Suitable for: anyone who can walk through an overgrown site to check on the trees that were planted a few years ago, clean out any weeds and help remove any guards / posts etc that are no longer needed
Experience: no experience needed.
Wear/bring: gloves and stout footwear, old work clothes, waterproofs, drinks, snacks & lunch.
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For more information about volunteering with Eden Rivers Trust please get in touch with us at
volunteers@edenrt.org
or ring 01768 866788.
Don't forget, places on work parties must be booked beforehand.
Please note:
Factors such as Covid restrictions and the Cumbrian weather can have a major impact on safety at work parties and these may therefore be subject to change or cancellation at very short notice.
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Have you booked yourself in yet?
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