Join the Don Catchment Rivers Trust at Priory Farm in Renishaw to help remove the invasive plant species Himalayan balsam. Himalayan Balsam outcompetes native flora and results in bare river banks over winter which can increase erosion and flood risk. We’ll be pulling out the plants and snapping above the roots to prevent regrowth. This work goes hand in hand with our efforts to slow flows through the woods at Priory farm using leaky barriers of varying shapes and sizes.

Spaces are limited so please book on to this event using the Eventbrite link below.

PLEASE NOTE: This event is weather dependent as the site floods. If it has been, or is forecast to be very wet, we may need to postpone. Please keep an eye on the events calendar closer to the time for updates if the weather is bad.

Task: Removing Himalayan balsam 

When: Tuesday 2nd June, 10am-1pm

Where: Priory Farm woodlands (off Barbers Row), Renishaw

What 3 Words: ///music.form.inform

Google Maps Pin: https://maps.app.goo.gl/bPbcpqSzg5hmw5Kj9

What to bring: Please wear suitable clothing for outdoor work including long sleeves and trousers that you don’t mind getting muddy! Wellies will be available to borrow should you need them. We will also provide refreshments and biscuits for a tea break but please bring water and any other food you may need.

Joining us? All are welcome but please note there is no toilet and the site is not completely accessible to all so please check the access advice below. There are limited spaces at this event due to the nature of the work so it is essential to book on using the link below. Any queries please contact [email protected]

Book your space here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/priory-farm-balsam-bash-tickets-1986532512220?aff=oddtdtcreator

Where: Great Ings, Fishlake 

Meeting at: On-street parking on Main Street, Google maps link click here

When: 11am-12:30pm

What to bring: Walking boots or wellies that you don’t mind getting a bit muddy! Bring binoculars if you have them.

DCRT will bring the clipboards, survey forms and identification sheets.

What to expect: Identifying butterflies and dragonflies can be tricky, so please ask if you are unsure and share your knowledge with others if you know any tips and tricks! These events are great opportunities to practise and learn ID skills, as well as contributing to county records

Refreshments (hot drinks) provided at the end of the event.

Joining us? All are welcome, including beginners. Please let us know if you plan to attend by emailing [email protected] or texting 07561588215.

Sometimes events are cancelled due to flooding on the site or bad weather. 

Join the Don Catchment Rivers Trust alongside Rotherham Council, as we help to remove the invasive plant species Himalayan Balsam from the banks of the Pinch Mill Brook in Whiston. 

When: Wednesday 4th June 2026, 10am-1pm

Where: We will be meeting on the lay by, adjacent to the fishing ponds of Pinchmill Fishery (Pinchmill Farm, Wickersley, Rotherham S60 4NJ). Please go through the gate to the fisheries, it will open automatically as you drive up to it. You need a code to leave which I can give you on the day.
What 3 Words: https://w3w.co/finishing.dinner.race
Google Maps Pin: https://maps.app.goo.gl/WGTqCjuMrtWXu9Ti7

What to bring: We provide all of the equipment on the day however please wear suitable clothing for outdoor work including sturdy shoes or boots and long trousers. Even if it is warm weather, it is advisable to cover up to protect against spiky plants and stings. There are toilets we can use at the fisheries. We can provide wellingtons to borrow on the day but please let us know in advance by emailing [email protected] to ensure we have your size. 

What to expect: We will be walking along the paths through the woods, pulling up Himalayan Balsam and leaving it in piles once we have snaped or crushed it below the bottom node. We will have a break at 11:30am for refreshments and biscuits, provided by DCRT. 

Joining us? All are welcome however not all of our sites are completely accessible to all, please check the access advice below. Please let us know if you are coming as a new volunteer so we can plan accordingly by emailing [email protected] or contacting project volunteer officer Charlotte Landry-Jennings 07561588275.

Join the DOn Catchment Rivers Trust as we work to reduce the amount of Himalayan BAlsam on the Banks of the River Don at Hexthorpe Park. This day is a part of the All Hands on the Don Project.

When: Tuesday 9th June 10am-1pm

Where:  We will be meeting at the entrance to Hexthorpe Park at 209 Urban Rd, Doncaster DN4 0HH. What 3 Words: ///cats.amount.class. Google Maps Pin: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ixPMiyudBuMMqqNz8

What to bring:  We provide all of the equipment on the day however please wear suitable clothing for outdoor work including sturdy shoes or boots and long trousers. We can provide wellingtons to borrow on the day but please let us know in advance by emailing [email protected] or contacting task leader Anthony Cox.

Joining us? All are welcome however not all of our sites are completely accessible to all, please check the access advice bellow. Please let us know if you are coming as a new volunteer so we can plan accordingly by emailing [email protected] or contacting project volunteer Coordinator Anthony Cox 07384 543124.

Join the Don Catchment Rivers Trust as we help to remove the invasive plant species Himalayan Balsam from the river feeding Scout Dike Reservoir at Ingbirchworth. 

When: Tuesday 9th June, 10am – 1pm

Where: We will be working along the small inlet to Scout Dike Reservoir. This comes from Ingbirchworth Reservoir and has a bank of balsam that we would like to tackle before it gets to the reservoir. There is space for about four vehicles (double parked) at a gravel lay by linked below, and a couple more spaces at the picnic area entrance here. If these are both full, there is on street parking on the main Huddersfield Road above but please park with caution on this 40mph road. 
What 3 Words: https://w3w.co/obstruct.grudges.fearfully
Google Maps Pin: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FUBFpVQ6BzJs79vx5

What to expect: We will be working along banks of the river, pulling up Himalayan Balsam and leaving it in piles once we have snaped or crushed it below the bottom node. There are no public footpaths as we will be on private land. Therefore, paths are unpaved and mostly on grassland and rocky river banks. There are no public toilets nearby. We will have a break at for refreshments and biscuits, provided by DCRT.

What to bring: We provide all of the equipment on the day however please wear suitable clothing for outdoor work including sturdy shoes or boots and long trousers. Even if it is warm weather, it is advisable to cover up to protect against spiky plants and stings. We can provide wellingtons to borrow on the day but please let us know in advance by emailing [email protected] to ensure we have your size. 

Joining us? All are welcome however not all of our sites are completely accessible to all, please check the access advice below. Please let us know if you are coming as a new volunteer so we can plan accordingly by emailing [email protected] or contacting project volunteer officer Charlotte Landry-Jennings 07561588275.