London Rivers Week 2025: Himalayan Balsam Bash – Gallos Brook, Islip

Take action to help your local rivers and streams to celebrate London Rivers Week and The Great Big Green Week!

We need your help to manage Himalayan Balsam along the Gallos Brook. This invasive plant spreads easily along riverbanks, outcompeting native plants and destabilising the banks, causing erosion.

Hand pulling is the best way to tackle this problem plant and we will do this from the bank and from in the river channel, wearing waders.

Booking required:

Sign up for the morning session 10am – 1pm

Sign up for the afternoon session 2pm – 5pm

Please wear outdoor footwear with a good grip, and bring wellies and gardening gloves if you have them. Other equipment (waders, bouyancy aids, more pairs of gloves) will be provided.

The meeting point is Islip Village Hall, from where we will walk down to the site (~5 minutes). Please arrive promptly for your session so you can take part in the safety briefing.

Any under-18s must be accompanied by an adult.

Hot drinks and refreshments will be provided at the Village Hall between 1pm and 2pm.

Look forward to seeing you there!