THAMES21 and Barking & Dagenham Ranger Service are embarking on a project to improve the Gores Brook through Gores Brook Park and we need your help!

Our hope for this event is to introduce

ourselves to the local volunteer community, and to conduct a Himalayan Balsam

removal event in the Gores Brook.

Starting from its current uncovered start

point (the allotments across Hedgeman's Road), and down through Gores Brook

Park, as far down as we can get in the event time.

Himalayan Balsam is an invasive plant

that damages our fragile river systems, it erodes the riverbanks, outcompeting

native plants, provides poor habitat for native river species and it grows

readily in wet sunny condition. Sadly, it has spread quite pervasively down

many UK rivers like the Gores Brook.

But we can do something about this. It is

easily pulled up from the ground and if done systematically at the right time

can stop the plants from setting seed. This can reduce the plant by 90% in the

first year alone, and if removed repeatedly over 2-3 years we can eliminate

this environmentally damaging species from Gores Brook Park.

The Barking & Dagenham

Ranger Service will be joining us for this event so come along

and speak to us to find out more information about Himalayan Balsam, the Gores

Brook, and what goals we hope to accomplish with help from the local community.

We will supply all the equipment you will

need on the day, the only things we suggest you bring is water and something

for lunch.

We will supply you with free tea, coffee

& biscuits on the day.

The meeting point will be the Dagenham Avenue entrance to

Gores Brook Park. What3Words

location is: settle.holly.melts

We will start with an introduction and a

health and safety briefing.

What to wear on the day: Appropriate long sleeve clothing, we

will be working around nettles and spikey plants, it is advisable to have a hat

and wear sunscreen.

All other equipment will be provided.

Facilities: Unfortunately there are no facilities in

the park, the nearest are cafes and shops about 5-10 mins walk away on Dagenham

Heathway.

If you have any questions about this

event or wish to know more, please email the event leader Michael O’Neill at

Michael.oneill@Thames21.org.uk and he will be happy to assist you.