THAMES21 and Barking & Dagenham Ranger Service conducted six events in 2024 to improve the Gores Brook through Gores Brook Park, tackling the growing threat of Himalayan Balsam, an invasive plant.

Himalayan Balsam is damaging to our native ecology, both plants, insect, and animals are affected by it. The Brook also suffers from others issues like litter and little public interaction, partly because the invasive balsam is so thick it denies access to the river.

We are pleased to announce that we are back with another series of community events to help address the common issues affecting the Gores Brook, and we would like your help.

Can you volunteer on the Gores Brook? 

Our project is aimed to assist local volunteers, empowering them to learn the skills and knowledge required to become involved and maybe even form a local River Action Group for the Gores Brook.

These events will focus primarily on the issues affect the Gores Brook Channel but will also incorporate the open spaces through which it travels.

Volunteering activities will range from:

1. Litter picking both in and out the river channel.
2. Managing vegetation to improve the range of habitats and open up areas for people to access the river banks.
3. Seeding native wildflowers along the banks.
4. Habitat creation (hibernaculum's, hard wood deflectors, bird/bat boxes installation).
5. Surveying and recording existing species.
6. Removing Himalayan Balsam

What you need to bring with you: sensible clothes for the weather (warm layers, and a rain jacket if cold/wet, sunscreen/hat if sunny do think about your comfort), please bring a water bottle, and a sandwich or something for lunch, we do stop for a break at 12pm.

We will provide all the require kit you need for the event, such as waders, tools, PPE, and refreshments (tea, coffee and biscuits to all volunteers).

We will provide project information and a health and safety briefing to all volunteers on site.

Meeting location will be the entrance to Gores Brook Park next to the brook on Hedgeman's Road you will see a Thames21 van and uniformed staff member. What3 Words location: safety.fell.grow or you can use Google Maps location: 51°32'23.0"N 0°08'29.0"E Nearest postcode: RM9 6HU