‘Clearing’ was the word of the day for our band of volunteers as most of the team met at Ynysmeudwy for a scheduled session of Balsam bashing. This highly invasive species was a big problem on much of the canal, but our efforts to reduce or eradicate it in recent years have paid off with a lot less coming up in most areas. However Ynysmeudwy was not one of them! Between the upper and lower locks, and beyond, a veritable forest of Balsam up to 3 metres high had taken over, with blooms almost ready to spread their seeds.

Sharon, Moira, David G, Christina, Bob, Martin, the Johns Gw and Gr, Jan, Ronnie, Paul and Annette pulled and twisted the stems to clear section by section on both sides of the canal and around the Lengthsman’s Hut. It was tiring work with all the bending down, and hard on the hands, but they removed huge amounts which should mean that many fewer plants grow next year. These photos give a mere indication of the magnitude of the problem and the team’s magnificent effort to resolve it.

At coffee break Annette, on parade for the first time after a long break, spoiled us with a fab selection of sandwiches, cakes and jammy doughnuts, and we enjoyed them all on the sunny parapet of Bridge 9. Unfortunately, the tree team {see below} missed out as they were so busy.

There was also ‘clearing’ to be done further down the cut. A huge broken branch had recently fallen 200m below Trebanos locks and lay across the canal. Mike F, Lance, Duncan, Andrew, Rowan and Alan T launched a canoe raft from Coed Gwilym Park. Gordon boarded and chainsawed the trunk-like length into three sections whilst Mike and Alan manoeuvred the raft, but these smaller pieces still needed a large winch on the bank to help get them out.

Alan and Mike cleared more manageable branches from the water and everything was stacked behind the towpath to provide animal habitats, until it decays naturally. It was a strenuous effort by the group, but a job that needed doing urgently so as not to hinder our canoe and kayak hire later in the week.

It was a full mornings work at both sites, but again the results of our efforts were very evident and very rewarding, so well done to the whole team!