Thank you everyone for your help throughout 2011 clearing Himalayan Balsam from the St.Dogmaels, Pippit and Cippyn areas.

Your remarkable efforts in clearing 18 acres have been acknowledged with two awards - one being the Keep Wales Tidy 'National River Improvement Award' and the other, the Pembrokeshire National Park Authority 'Local Hero' Award. The trophies can be viewed at the Coach House. The £250 prize from Keep Wales Tidy and another £100 from a grateful landowner are being used to further the work.

At the moment we are cautiously optimistic at how few balsam plants are visible. We are delighted to report that during a three hour walk over sixty-five native species were identified. Where before only Himalayan Balsam reigned, masses of Golden Saxifrage, Burr Reed, Lady's Smock and Wild Angelica are amonst those reappearing. In order to ensure that the Himalayan Balsam does not recur, we will be having follow-up working parties.

For more information contact gillandtosh@yahoo.co.uk BENITA, GILL and GWENDA, St.Dogmaels.