We’ve made excellent progress over the last year in keeping Pennywort at a much lower level than in many previous years. The impact has been impressive. Thanks to all who have been involved. Nevertheless, despite our rigorous efforts, this is the time of year when Pennywort starts to grow with a vengeance; the recent weather has encouraged it. A number of members of our July work party have been surprised that at the stretches of the Navigation that were apparently completely pennywort-free then, there are now emerging rafts of pennywort. Can you believe it?!
Now that we have a number of work boat skippers we can operate our Work Parties simultaneously along a number of stretches of the Navigation, making our impact very much greater than if we are all only in one area. This practice has worked very well over the last two work parties. So, at the moment, that is the way we plan to continue to operate.
Please consider taking part in our August work party which takes place on Saturday, 7th August, starting at 9 am and finishing at about 1pm (but please be prepared to be a bit flexible). We’ll be working at several locations along the Navigation, mainly on the water from work boats. If you can bring your own kayak/canoe/coracle that would be additionally helpful as access to growing pennywort at this time of year is potentially only from the water (the marginal vegetation is too high to allow working from the banks).
We would like you to email [email protected] to let him know:
- that you can attend on 7th August
- whether you have a preferred location to work from or if you can turn up anywhere where car parking is available along the Navigation
- that you are happy working from a work boat or
- that you can bring your own craft
- if you'd like to take part in something else - like litterpicking
He’ll then email you before 7th August letting you know where he’d like you to work from.
Although Covid restrictions have been lifted we’ll be mindful of safe working practices and will, of course, respect everyone’s right to adopt their own measures.
By the way, huge thanks to some of our volunteers who have been out on the water since our last work party, collecting pennywort almost as fast as it grows! All additional efforts like that are so valuable.
Please respond ASAP by email to [email protected] if you are able to take part in the work party on 7th August
