Ock Path Tesco End - Monday, 28th July 2025

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Blog and Photos by Sally

Eleanor organised an extra session at the Tesco end of the Ock Path on Monday, 28th July to do some more Himalayan Balsam pulling.  Six Green Gymmers turned out on a fine summer's evening.  We took advantage of there being little or no water in the ditch/section of stream running alongside the arable field.

Spot Susan!

Lesley surveys the scene

Adrian getting to the root of the problem

Rosie on the not so slippery slope

Meanwhile, on the other side of the path next to the River Ock, we found another patch of Himalayan Balsam to tackle

As Eleanor and I started to clear this patch of Himalayan Balsam, it would lovely to see some forget-me-not and willow herb.  Hopefully, allowing light in will ensure that our native flowering plants will thrive to provide essential pollen and nectar for our pollinators in future years.

The cleared patch

The progress made at the ditch/stream on the other side of the path by Susan, Adrian, Rosie and Lesley as the sun was setting.  It is quite a dent.

It would be nice in future to be given permission to pull up nettles as well.  These are nitrophiles, showing a high level of nitrate pollution in the waterways.  It would be lovely to be able to sow some native wildflower seeds such as purple loosestrife for the benefit of our pollinators in the future, too.  


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