Newsletter August/September 2026

First round of balsam bashing complete

Throughout June and July, Sustainable Swaledale volunteers joined a number of working parties concentrating on removing Himalayan Balsam from areas along the River Swale, co-ordinated by Louise B. The left and right banks of the River Swale were cleared from Reeth Swing Bridge up to Scaba Wath Bridge; and two further areas of balsam were tackled, upstream from Isles Bridge (where there was a considerable amount), and downstream from Gunnerside Bridge. The Eden Rivers Trust estimates that pulling up just 10 plants stops over 3,000 seeds from germinating the following year which without any action, could add up to 900,000 plants in two years!

Two approaches were taken: hand pulling and then snapping the stalk between the root and the first node; and cutting with a strimmer. As it is illegal to transport balsam without the necessary permissions, the stalks are left on site and quickly rot down. The Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust (YDRT) are trialling the use of a strimmer to cut the balsam. While there can be some regrowth, it is possible for one person to tackle a large area; whilst pulling—generally considered to be more effective long term—requires lots of people to tackle an area.

All the work done has been added to the INNSmapper, a national app used to record the presence of balsam and any remedial action taken. Work has now finished for the year, and local working groups will be reconvened next summer: Watch this space for volunteering opps…

Haytime made possible on small and inaccessible sites

A number of meadows which are too small or too difficult to be accessed using conventional farming machinery were cut using the walk behind tractor and cutting bar throughout July and August. The hay was turned using old fashioned hay rakes and collected in dumpy bags or baled for use as sheep fodder. Wildflower meadows need to be managed otherwise grass will dominate and the flora diminish, and the group helps to cut meadows which would otherwise go uncut. Thank you to everyone who helped—especially Peter B and Paul.

Tree monitoring: Taking stock of the scorching summer

A number of volunteers visited sites planted by Sustainable Swaledale in the 2025/26 season, and a number of older sites planted in 2022/23, to check on the health of the trees and whether the particularly dry summer has had a noticeable impact. Overall, we found that there has been a drop in the success rate of the latest round of planting schemes, particularly on south facing sites and those with thinner soils. In contrast, sites which were already established have generally fared better. Once the survey results have been analysed fully, we will decide on a plan of action in consultation with the respective landowners. Thank you to Joe and Alison for coordinating, and to all the volunteers who went out and surveyed the sites.

Reeth Surgery Community Fruit & Veg Beds

Thanks to the efforts of Gail, Sam and all the watering volunteers throughout the summer, there is plenty of produce that is available to be picked. Do help yourselves!

Upcoming activities this Autumn…

Woodland maintenance: Off with those guards!

Our earliest tree planting sites are now five years old and need some maintenance to allow them to achieve their potential as a mature woodland grove. One of the simplest tasks (where the saplings are well established), is to shorten the 1.2m tree tubes: this continues to offer protection against voles and rabbits, whilst allowing the trees more movement to establish stronger root systems, and begin branching out at a lower level. Early autumn is a good time to do this as the sap is no longer rising and makes the bark less palatable. The lower half of the tree tube is cut out, allowing the top section (with its fluted edge) to drop down to the ground.

Guards have already been shortened, or even removed entirely at one of our earliest planting sites at Crackpot; and we will continue identifying further maintenance tasks using the woodland condition assessment training we received earlier in summer, organised by the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT). Further activities tbc and will be shared on our Facebook group and email list.

Join us on a seed collection walk through Ivelet Woods, Muker

Sustainable Swaledale is hosting two walks as part of the 21st Richmond Walking and Books Festival, including our annual seed collection walk through Ivelet Woods, Muker (one of the few remaining areas of ancient woodland in Swaledale) on 25th September. On the return to Muker, we’ll make the short climb up to the Old Vicarage where we’ll be able to sow some of the seeds collected, see some intermediate saplings from the group’s tree nursery, and then visit a small area of recent planting.

Read full walk details and book tickets here; plus find out more about our Arkengarthdale discovery walk on Sat 26th Sep, which includes a guided tour of the Heggs-Castle Renaturing Project.

Potting on at Reeth Community Orchard Apple Day

Join us at Apple Day on 24th October, where we’ll be potting on the bulk of tree nuts and seeds collected by volunteers (including at our Ivelet Woods walk above)—ready for germination over winter. There’ll also be the chance to purchase freshly pressed apple juice, browse a variety of apple-based items, and even have a go at pressing your own apples! Location: Reeth Community Orchard, Hudson House; time tbc.

Watch this space for tree planting and hedge laying opps

Hedge-laying will continue this autumn/winter under the expert tuition of the “Hedge Petes”: Peter B and Peter W, and new hands are most welcome! Plans include returning to Low Houses (to ensure all sections already laid on the Swale Trail are joined up);  as well as laying a much younger hedge at Marrick Park. We will also be planting a number of hedges and groves throughout the winter season, including a good number of saplings from our own tree nurseries at Reeth Surgery and St. Mary’s Arkengarthdale. (Thank you to everyone who ensured their survival by watering over the summer!) Volunteer dates for all sessions will be published via our Facebook group and email list in due course.

A big thank you to Rob for doing all the admin needed to make the planting program possible.