LOCAL volunteer, Dorothy-Anne Bryant, has pulled up her last Himalayan balsam from the banks of the River Frome.
For seven years, Dorothy-Anne has helped to remove the invasive weed from the town’s riverbanks. But due to her advancing Alzheimer’s, Dorothy-Anne has decided to take a step back.
“I am hanging up my waders,” said Dorthy-Anne. “My advancing Alzheimer’s prevents me from continuing safely leading teams of workers. But I shall continue walking beside the river and hoping others will be caring for it more actively.”
About the voluntary work that has taken place over the years to remove the plant, Dorothy-Anne said, “The beautiful purple flowers on huge plants can still be seen in the summer, but every vast infestation around the town of Frome has at last been worked through at least once.
“In 2013-2015 groups from Frome College spent a couple of hundred hours tackling an amazing amount between The Retreat and Blatchbridge. They also helped volunteers from Friends of the River Frome to tackle the source of continuing seeds below Witham Friary. This gave us a flying start.
“In previous years I have led work parties throughout the town itself and this year have been able to leave the occasional remaining plant to be pulled up by fishermen, walkers, town rangers and others.
“This summer eight River Friend volunteers dedicated the period 18th to the 24th August, plus a few ad hoc days, and succeeded in covering the river from Witham to Blatchbridge.”
