Members of Pinewoods Conservation Group and Harrogate District Bio Diversity Action Group (HDBAG) met on Saturday 22nd June 2013 to tackle the Balsam and Litter in the Pinewood. The group of about 30 in total were joined by Andrew Jones MP and Cllr Jim Clark plus a number of local residents. Officers from Harrogate police also made a passing visit to check the work was up to standard !
A number of areas were cleared of Balsam that was left on site in piles to rot. These areas were then replanted with more native and sustainable plants thanks to a donation of wild flowers from RHS Harlow Carr. These consisted of 150Raggid Robin, Primula veris and Ox-eye daisies,. Around 6 bags of rubbished and a rouge road cone were also collected.
This event was also the first outing for the Pinewoods new hi-visibility vests sponsored by Verity Frearsons. These are re-usable so will become a familiar site within the Pinewoods.
Andrew Jones MP said of the event:
Harrogate was recently voted the happiest place to live in a TV poll. It is because dedicated teams of volunteers word hard to make it so. The Pinewoods Conservation Group are one of those teams of volunteers. They maintain and improve the special character of our area which is what makes Harrogate such a great place to live.””
It was a pleasure to be involved in the event, seeing a number of local organisations and local residents come together to help maintain Pinewoods. The woods are an important asset to local residents and wider community so it is important we keep it at its best.
Pinewoods Conservation Group plans to meet again on 6th July and 20th July, again 10am at the council nurseries. HDBAG also has other Balsam events planned on 7th July and 4th August.
More details of both groups can be found at www.harrogatepinewoodsgroup.org and www.biodiversityaction.org.uk
Congratulations to everyone and if you’d like to do more to eliminate littering do join us on twitter @ZilchUK