Bash that Balsam at Chadderton Hall Park

Balsam in its early stages

Chadderton District Team are holding a ‘Balsam Bashing’ event in a bid to halt progress of the weed at Chadderton Hall Park.

Volunteers are needed for the ‘bashing’ which takes place on Wednesday, May 9, from 10am.

Himalayan Balsam was first introduced to the UK in 1839 and is now a naturalised plant, but has since become a problem weed.

It is a plant that can tolerate low levels of light and goes on to shade other vegetation, eventually killing it off.

The plant can grow up to 3m high (10ft) in height and during the summer months (June – October) it produces clusters of purplish pink helmet shaped flowers.

The seeds the plant produces – up to 800 – can spread widely due to its explosive seedpods that can project seeds as far as 7m (22ft) away.

In order to keep the plant under control, it is usually pulled up or cut before it flowers and sets seed.

Chadderton District Team and the Friends of Chadderton Hall Park are putting the call out to residents to come and help them stop this plant in its tracks.

To get involved, residents need to register their interest with the Chadderton District Team on 0161 770 1536.

All equipment required will be provided on the day, but those participating are asked to wear suitable clothing and footwear.

Participants need to meet at the Pavilion Café – where they can also park their cars.

Contacts on the day are David Barlow (Neighbourhood Supervisor) on 07872 676804 and Mark Fallis (Park Keeper) on 07951 761193.