Strath ladies give Crieff balsam a bashing
Crieff’s Soroptimists have not been idle during lockdown.
Those who were able continued to volunteer in the community or make masks for frontline workers.
And now that restrictions are easing, members have been going further afield to help.
Recently, they assisted with the clearing of the Himalayan Balsam that has been invading Crieff’s Turretbank Wood.
Len Schofield of Soroptimist International Crieff explained:“Due to the continuing conditions, SI Crieff members like everyone else can only hold virtual club meetings.
“However, about a dozen members did get together one recent Saturday morning in Turretbank Wood to help clear some of the Himalayan Balsam, that attractive but invasive plant introduced to this country in 1839 to such a detrimental effect for many of our native plants.
“It spreads at an amazing rate but fortunately does not have deep roots and is easily pulled out by hand and left to lie and rot so it can no longer spread its seeds.
“Jim Anderson of Crieff Community Trust showed everyone how to recognise it and after ensuring everyone had plenty protection against nettles, brambles and insects, we all spent a couple of hours doing something productive and marking the Soroptimist Day of Action at the same time.
“Having the opportunity to catch up on chat too, it was a win win situation!”
Find out more about SI Crieff by contacting membership officer Heather on 07796 031510.
Alternatively, visit the website https://sigbi.org/ crieff