Rotary Middleton joins forces to clear balsam and rubbish from Alkrington Woods

Monday, 16 June 2025 21:30

By David Murphy

Rotary Middleton and the Friends of Alkrington Woods joined up for a community cleanup, clearing litter and invasive plants from the local beauty spot.

Volunteers from Rotary Middleton and the Friends of Alkrington Woods pulled on gloves and grabbed gardening tools to help clean up Alkrington Woods on Friday, 14 June.

Their main targets were Himalayan balsam, a fast-spreading plant that damages local wildlife, and the usual build-up of litter along the paths and in the undergrowth.

Despite the odd shower and the tough job of pulling up stubborn roots, the group made steady progress. Several bags of litter were collected, and large patches of balsam were cleared to give native plants a better chance to grow.

Midway through the session, volunteers took a break for tea and a chat, with muddy boots lined up nearby. By the end of the day, the woods were noticeably tidier, and the difference could be seen across the cleared areas.

The Friends of Alkrington Woods thanked Rotary for their support and said they were already looking ahead to the next joint clean-up.

The event highlighted the value of local teamwork and hands-on effort in protecting green spaces for everyone to enjoy.

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