Friends of the Tame Valley, the volunteering group caring for the Tame Valley and surrounding areas, held another successful Balsam Bash last week at Upper Haughton and Whittles Meadows.

The event was organised by Stephen Martin, a member of the group and a keen Balsam Basher. 

Friends of the Tame Valley was formed with the help of Denton MP Andrew Gwynne, and has led a number of Balsam Bashes, litter picks and community improvement initiatives since it was formed back in February 2021. 

Commenting, MP Gwynne said: "I'd like to say a massive thanks to Stephen for helping to organise this fantastic event, and for all the hard work the volunteers put in. 

"I think the before and after images speak for themselves. The river valley is looking clean and tidy, and a huge amount of Balsam has been shifted. 

"Another successful day courtesy of Friends of the Tame Valley." 

FoTV member Stephen Martin added: "Himalayan Balsam is an invasive weed from where the name suggests. The Balsam chokes our native flowers. 

"Being an Annual, it propagates from seeds. Balsam Bashing is a method of removing the weed before it sets seed. 

"With the help of volunteers hopefully we can eradicate it from our river valley. I find Balsam Bashing very rewarding and therapeutic." 

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