Adam Stephens
Member
Run leader
TaskForce
Doing good since July 2019
0 Month Streak
79 Month Streak
TaskForce achievements
3
Sessions listed
43
Sessions led
20
Sessions backmarked
3
Walks led
5
Sessions photographed
53
Reports written
Adam Stephens's next session
Richmond
📍Buccleuch Gardens TW10 6UX
Green tasks and celebrations at our sponsored riverside plot
Latest activity
Adam Stephens signed up to a community mission.
Sat 1st Aug at 10:30am
We look after two lovely plots on Richmond riverside for the council, making them a lovely place for passers-by to enjoy some green space, the river views and relax
Read more
Adam Stephens went on a group run
Mon 13th Jul at 6:45pm
Richmond Report written by Liz (She/her)
In preparation for our 10th birthday party this Saturday, we headed to Buccleuch Gardens to sweep, dust and tidy up! There is plenty that needs watering on Saturday as well as all the party prep, so we can't wait to have lots of GoodGym hands on deck! Sign up and join us if you can, we would love to have you there!
Adam Stephens signed up to a community mission.
Mon 3rd Aug at 10:30am
Looking after the property at this local children's home
Read moreAdam Stephens signed up to a community mission.
Sat 25th Jul at 10:30am
It will help maintain the calming atmosphere within the centre, creating a safe space for children and their families.
Read moreAdam Stephens signed up to a group run.
Mon 20th Jul at 6:45pm
Creating a calm, welcoming space and taking some pressure off staff
Read moreAdam Stephens went on a community mission
Sat 11th Jul at 10:30am
In years gone by, missions to tackle Himalayan Balsam in the areas close to the river were many and not-far-between, with extra midweek sessions not a rarity. That Saturday’s task was our first (and possibly last?) of the Summer hopefully speaks to the efforts of many over the years to bring this invasive species under control, which are perhaps paying off. But it is a (little) shame because it’s always so much fun.
Himalayan Balsam, we learned from Friends of Ham Lands leader Sharon, escaped from Kew Gardens, whence it had been brought from afar (the Himalayas?) many years ago (19th century?). It quickly colonised large parts of the local area - as well as spreading all over the country - compromising the growth of important other flora and damaging soil structures on the river banks.
So on this beautifully sunny Saturday morning, 5 of Richmond GG’s finest met with Sharon and headed to an area close to the towpath on the river side of the Ham Lands to deal with a couple of patches of Balsam.
The fun part is in the ease of the job: despite their apparent size and sturdiness, Balsam plants are easy to uproot, having shallow roots as they do - and their wide hollow stems create a satisfying pop sound when pulled from the ground. So satisfying it makes you want not want to stop.
Stop we eventually did, however, as plans for the rest of the day (and a build-up of nettle stings) eventually required us to. We stood back and admired the result of our efforts - large clear sections and large piles of uprooted Balsam. And then off we popped.
Next time at Ham Lands is on Saturday 8th August. You can sign up here: https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/helping-the-happy-ham-landers-b8f34de0-18b2-4779-8129-bff4f391fa5a
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