Key Dates
Launch Event at Cwmbran Boating Lake
Learn about Himalayan balsam, help protect our river, waterways and green spaces, and get involved in balsam pulling this summer
Join us at Cwmbran Boating Lake for the launch of the Big Balsam Bash – a community effort to tackle the invasive plant Himalayan balsam and protect our local rivers and wildlife.
This is a free, family‑friendly drop‑in event running throughout the day. You don’t need any experience, tools, or to stay for the whole time – just pop along and get involved in a way that suits you.
🌱 What’s happening on the day?
You can:
- Learn how to identify Himalayan balsam
- Find out why it’s a problem for rivers and wildlife
- Have a go at pulling balsam plants with guidance from the team
- Chat to us about future volunteer pulling sessions
- Sign up to “adopt a patch” and help look after a stretch near you
We’ll be on hand to answer questions, show safe pulling techniques, and explain how small actions can make a big difference when we work together.
Who is this event for?
- Local residents & families
- Anyone curious about nature or invasive plants
- People who might like to volunteer but aren’t sure where to start
You don’t need to book for a specific time – just drop in between 10am and 2pm and look out for the gazebo in the South Carpark: https://what3words.com/match.chose.giving
What to bring
- Suitable outdoor clothing and footwear
- Gloves if you have them (we’ll have some available)
- Water / snacks if you plan to stay a while
This is a Local Places for Nature event funded by Welsh Government
Himalayan balsam pulling session – Northfields, Cwmbran
Join us at Northfields, Cwmrban for a hands-on volunteering session to help tackle Himalayan balsam, an invasive plant that spreads rapidly along our rivers and waterways and crowds out native wildlife.
We’ll be working together to remove balsam helping to restore space for native plants and protect local habitats.
We'll be meeting at https://what3words.com/feared.stops.scared at 10am.
No experience is needed – full guidance will be provided, and everyone is welcome.
What to bring
- Sturdy footwear
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Water and a snack
- Suncream and a hat if it's going to hot
Himalayan balsam pulling session – Tirpentwys LNR, Pontypool
Join us at Tirpentwys Local Nature Reserve, for a hands-on volunteering session to help tackle Himalayan balsam, an invasive plant that spreads rapidly along our rivers and waterways and crowds out native wildlife.
We’ll be working together to remove balsam helping to restore space for native plants and protect local habitats.
We'll be meeting at the Tirpentwys Local Nature Reserve carpark, https://what3words.com/commented.script.vest at 10am.
No experience is needed – full guidance will be provided, and everyone is welcome.
What to bring
- Sturdy footwear
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Water and a snack
- Suncream and a hat if it's going to hot
Himalayan balsam pulling session – Boating Lake, Cwmbran
Join us in Cwmbran, for a hands-on volunteering session to help tackle Himalayan balsam, an invasive plant that spreads rapidly along our rivers and waterways and crowds out native wildlife.
We’ll be working together to remove balsam helping to restore space for native plants and protect local habitats.
We'll be meeting at https://what3words.com/spill.shakes.cloak at 10am.
No experience is needed – full guidance will be provided, and everyone is welcome.
What to bring
- Sturdy footwear
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Water and a snack
- Suncream and a hat if it's going to hot
Himalayan balsam pulling session – Henllys LNR, Cwmbran
Join us at Hennlys Local Nature Reserve, for a hands-on volunteering session to help tackle Himalayan balsam, an invasive plant that spreads rapidly along our rivers and waterways and crowds out native wildlife.
We’ll be working together to remove balsam helping to restore space for native plants and protect local habitats.
We'll be meeting at the Hennlys Local Nature Reserve carpark, https://what3words.com/larger.farm.master at 10am.
No experience is needed – full guidance will be provided, and everyone is welcome.
What to bring
- Sturdy footwear
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Water and a snack
- Suncream and a hat if it's going to hot
Himalayan balsam pulling session – Zig Zag Path, Bleanavon
Join us in Bleanavon, for a hands-on volunteering session to help tackle Himalayan balsam, an invasive plant that spreads rapidly along our rivers and waterways and crowds out native wildlife.
We’ll be working together to remove balsam helping to restore space for native plants and protect local habitats.
We'll be meeting at https://what3words.com/feasts.enough.relegate at 10am.
No experience is needed – full guidance will be provided, and everyone is welcome.
What to bring
- Sturdy footwear
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Water and a snack
- Suncream and a hat if it's going to hot
Himalayan balsam pulling session – Tirpentwys LNR
Join us at Tirpentwys Local Nature Reserve, for a hands-on volunteering session to help tackle Himalayan balsam, an invasive plant that spreads rapidly along our rivers and waterways and crowds out native wildlife.
We’ll be working together to remove balsam helping to restore space for native plants and protect local habitats.
We'll be meeting at the Tirpentwys Local Nature Reserve carpark, https://what3words.com/commented.script.vest at 10am.
No experience is needed – full guidance will be provided, and everyone is welcome.
What to bring
- Sturdy footwear
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Water and a snack
- Suncream and a hat if it's going to hot
Himalayan balsam pulling session – Sandybrook Park, Cwmbran
Join us in Cwmbran, for a hands-on volunteering session to help tackle Himalayan balsam, an invasive plant that spreads rapidly along our rivers and waterways and crowds out native wildlife.
We’ll be working together to remove balsam helping to restore space for native plants and protect local habitats.
We'll be meeting at https://what3words.com/finds.homes.season at 10am.
No experience is needed – full guidance will be provided, and everyone is welcome.
What to bring
- Sturdy footwear
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Water and a snack
- Suncream and a hat if it's going to hot
Himalayan balsam pulling (and saving Oak seedlings) - Chapel Lane - Cwmbran
Join us in Cwmbran, for a hands-on volunteering session to help tackle Himalayan balsam, an invasive plant that spreads rapidly along our rivers and waterways and crowds out native wildlife.
We’ll be working together to remove balsam helping to restore space for native plants and protect local habitats. There are also some Oak seedlings that need saving nearby so we'll collect those for the community tree nursery.
We'll be meeting at what3words /// The simplest way to talk about location at 10am.
No experience is needed – full guidance will be provided, and everyone is welcome.
What to bring
- Sturdy footwear
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Water and a snack
- Suncream and a hat if it's going to hot
Himalayan balsam pulling session – Northfields, Cwmbran
Join us at Northfields, Cwmrban for a hands-on volunteering session to help tackle Himalayan balsam, an invasive plant that spreads rapidly along our rivers and waterways and crowds out native wildlife.
We’ll be working together to remove balsam helping to restore space for native plants and protect local habitats.
We'll be meeting at https://what3words.com/feared.stops.scared at 10am.
No experience is needed – full guidance will be provided, and everyone is welcome.
What to bring
- Sturdy footwear
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Water and a snack
- Suncream and a hat if it's going to hot
Himalayan balsam pulling session – Tirpentwys LNR
Join us at Tirpentwys Local Nature Reserve, for a hands-on volunteering session to help tackle Himalayan balsam, an invasive plant that spreads rapidly along our rivers and waterways and crowds out native wildlife.
We’ll be working together to remove balsam helping to restore space for native plants and protect local habitats.
We'll be meeting at the Tirpentwys Local Nature Reserve carpark, https://what3words.com/commented.script.vest at 10am.
No experience is needed – full guidance will be provided, and everyone is welcome.
What to bring
- Sturdy footwear
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Water and a snack
- Suncream and a hat if it's going to hot
Himalayan balsam pulling session – Canal path from Ty-coch Lane
Join us on the canal path for a hands-on volunteering session to help tackle Himalayan balsam, an invasive plant that spreads rapidly along our rivers and waterways and crowds out native wildlife.We’ll be working together to remove balsam helping to restore space for native plants and protect local habitats.
We'll be meeting on Ty-coch Lane (https://what3words.com/minds.pays.actors) on July 3rd at 10am.
No experience is needed – full guidance will be provided, and everyone is welcome.
Big Balsam Bash – Himalayan balsam pulling session – Llantarnam ponds
Description
We’ll be working together to remove balsam helping to restore space for native plants and protect local habitats.
We'll be meeting at what3words /// The simplest way to talk about location at 5pm.
No experience is needed – full guidance will be provided, and everyone is welcome.
What to bring
- Sturdy footwear
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Water and a snack
- Suncream and a hat if it's going to hot
Find out more here: Join The Big Balsam Bash | Get Involved Torfaen
Help us to pull it up and stamp it out.
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Ymunwch â ni yn Cwmbran, am sesiwn wirfoddoli ymarferol i helpu i fynd i'r afael â Jac y neidiwr, planhigyn ymledol sy'n lledaenu'n gyflym ar hyd ein hafonydd a'n dyfrffyrdd ac yn tarfu ar fywyd gwyllt brodorol.
Byddwn yn gweithio gyda'n gilydd i daclo Jac, gan helpu i adfer lleoedd i blanhigion brodorol, a gwarchod cynefinoedd lleol.
Byddwn ni’n cwrdd yn what3words /// The simplest way to talk about location at 5pm
Nid oes angen unrhyw brofiad – bydd cyfarwyddyd llawn, ac mae croeso i bawb.
Bydd angen dod ag
· Esgidiau cadarn
· Dillad sy'n addas i’r tywydd
- Dŵr a byrbryd
- Eli haul a het os yw hi'n mynd i fod yn boeth
Dysgwch fwy yma: Ymuno yn Ymgyrch Clec i Jac | Cymryd Rhan Torfaen
Helpwch ni i'w dynnu a’i drechu.