Himalayan Balsam along the Sid

We have an issue of unwanted plants along the river:

Now is the height of the Himalayan Balsam – and it’s been a concern for some time now:

SIDMOUTH community for the people | Very concerned to see the alien Himalayan Balsam growing on the banks of the River Sid in the Byes this morning | Facebook

This time last year the Sid Valley Biodiversity Group looked at the scourge:

Over many years the plant has infested various parts along the River Sid from its source near the Hare & Hounds down to the mouth of the river as well as its tributaries such as the Snod and the Roncombe. Left unchallenged it spreads at an alarming rate through seed dispersion from August onwards (seed heads ‘pop’ and can spread several meters around each plant)

Control Of Himalayan Balsam On The River Sid – Sid Valley Biodiversity Group

The group doing most of the donkey work in ridding the Sid of this invasive is part of the Sidmouth in Bloom project:

Sidmouth’s Wonderful Balsam Bashers | Sidmouth Herald

And they contributed directly to the Valley being awarded Gold two years ago:

Sidmouth in Bloom win Gold

They really are doing excellent work: