Here is the latest in a series of articles on green issues which Ashby Nub News will be running from time to time. Here, Ashby Town Councillor Tom Stanley explains the work carried out by volunteers along the course of the Gilwiskaw Brook.

The Gilwiskaw Brook Volunteers Group met up along with members of Ashby de la Zouch Town Council's Grounds Maintenance team and a member of the Trent Rivers Trust for their first volunteering session of 2024.

The group meet fortnightly as part of a long term project to restore the Gilwiskaw Brook, which is the source of the River Mease.

They are also working in Hood Park to improve the river.

Currently large amounts of brambles cover the banks of the Brook, impeding on the growth of surrounding plants and trees.

This is also affecting the water course. The group are aiming to cut most of the brambles back into smaller patches and seed the bare areas of ground with a wildflower meadow mix in the spring that will enhance the area.

To support the growth of trees planted near the banks of the brook, brambles will be cut back away from the trunks which to allow the trees to grow and establish themselves before the brambles grow back.

Finally, litter that has ended up in the Brook will be removed to ensure that it is clean and tidy.

This work all forms part of the project that the Trent Rivers Trust have been running along the length of the River Mease catchment area.

Indeed, last year, over 400 hours of volunteering time was given by people to remove Himalayan Balsam that was growing in and around the water course.

Himalayan Balsam is a non-native species that causes damaging soil erosion on riverbanks.

It grows up to 2.5 metres tall and chokes surrounding plants as it clambers upwards.

By removing the balsam, native plants can recolonise the area which in turn improves biodiversity and makes the area a healthier and more enjoyable place to visit.

If you want to join in and help the group, then you can contact either the Trent Rivers Trust or Ashby Town Council for more details.