Barley Parish Council
Himalayan Balsam, Pub walk, Best Kept Village...
As we move into August it is suddenly mid-summer and holiday time for schools and a time when families go on holiday and pensioners generally stay at home to avoid the higher costs and temperatures. The Anglo -Saxons called it “Weod month” because it is a month when weeds and other plants grow rapidly, however, the roman names prevailed, and August is named after Augustus Ceasar who was the grandnephew of Julius Ceasar who named July after himself.
Going back to the weeds, we are losing the battle against Himalayan Balsam as this pervasive weed continues to spread. Over 5 years ago it took over the river between Roughlee and Barley and since then many, but not enough, have been trying to stop it at the car park and from spreading on to Ogden Valley, Black Moss and the slopes of Pendle Hill. It can now be found in all these locations but still in quantities that are manageable to eradicate.
It is a fast growing, tall, upright annual plant. Seed germinates in early spring, producing broad lance-shaped leaves with finely serrated edges. Sturdy hollow stems grow to a height of about 6ft during summer suffocating other plants and reducing diversity. Scented flowers in shades of pink and purple, and occasionally white, are borne from June to November. Flowers are followed by elongated seed pods containing up to 16 rounded seeds, these will start the cycle next year.
To eradicate we need to stop the seeds spreading – pull the plant out of the ground (it comes out easily) or cut it down, cut as low as possible to prevent the plant regrowth and branching. If you see it take it out to stop the spread.
On the village green you might have seen work continuing to improve the grass quality. The green has been verti-drained, scarified and sanded in July.
There has been hand applied spot treatment of weeds using a selective herbicide to reduce the infestation of dandelion and dock leaf; we are using spot treatment so that we can retain buttercups, daisy and clover. In August a fertiliser will be spread for the first time in over 20 years. As I have said before, this is a slow process, but you might have noticed early signs of improvement.
The pendle pub walk seemed to pass off without too much distress for residents that I am aware of. However, the toilet block on the car park was trashed in terms of debris and blockages. So much alcohol in tins, bottles and plastic cups left in there we could have held a village party. We were able to clear one of the blocked toilets but the other had a beer can jammed in a bend, thankfully a local company had an old technique that enabled it to be pulled out otherwise we would have had to take the toilet out of the ground to remove the blockage. The Council will consider closing the toilet next year and using port-a-loos.
There have been hardly any planning applications in the first half of the year and this is unusual. The only outstanding planning matter is a proposal to convert an agricultural building into three holiday cottages at Pendle House Farm at the foot of the hill. There have been a few objections to the plans including the Parish Council. We are waiting a determination.
The Best Kept Village Competition and judging is underway. Please do your bit and adopt the public areas near to your home, whether it’s just weeding and sweeping the roadside, litter picking, sweeping paths, putting up hanging baskets or by planting flowers etc. The village cannot win without your support.
Finally, well done to the England’s Lionesses on winning the football Euros – again.