The Balsam Wars Episode 4: The Root Of All Evil

A beautiful sunny evening saw a whole army of GG Yorkies massing at St Nick's ready to do battle with the evil balsam once again, which since our early forays had regrouped and grown huge and flowery (easier to identify at least!).

Once we had our armour (waders) on we headed to the battleground of the nearby beck. A pincer movement saw the balsam facing attack from the beck and the bank, although there were a few close calls on the bank side "Help me!" cried Leanne as she started to slip in. The beck team did very well, as Richard insisted "look how big my bag is!" he cried thrice.

Soon enough the balsam troops had been sorely defeated and the mothership (giant root) was uprooted. Leaving Ed and Debs to finish off the stragglers ("I've got a big 'un" - Ed) the rest of us headed over to another location: this time the balsam had defended itself with brambles, but we had come prepared with loppers and were not to be beaten.

Eventually we called a truce and headed back to base, a successful mission completed (once we'd found the terrible twosome again!)

We were assisted in our mission tonight by a friendly wood nymph (Katie), appearing to check we were on the side of Good, and a local yoof who saw us and decided to join in. Apparently this is the form youth rebellion takes these days - his parents probably thought he was off up to no good, but instead he was conservation volunteering! The future of GoodGym is safe in York.

Ed also completed his 100th good deed tonight, and our great leader herself completed her 400th!! Big cheers for Egg and Ed!