A Cumbrian brewery and an environmental charity have joined forces in a bid to protect the business and keep a fast-growing, invasive weed at bay.
Cockermouth-based Jennings Brewery and the West Cumbria Rivers Trust have launched a campaign along the River Cocker, which forms a vital part of the brewing process.
Called Pull Together: Bash the Balsam, the brewery will support the trust to fund a team member to fight back against Himalayan balsam across the catchment, alongside organising a series of community volunteering events.
Four Pull Together sessions will be held with locals invited to get involved and help remove the invasive plant.
“100% of the water in Jennings beer comes from our own Lake District well, so local water quality is essential to what we do,” Chris France, managing director, Jennings Brewery, said.
“This partnership is part of a long-term commitment from us to do our bit to protect and improve the biodiversity of the Lake District.
“We’re also planning a cracking beer alongside it, and volunteers that pitch in and help can try it for free.”
The goal is to pull 132,000 balsam plants and prevent 33 million seeds from spreading with the brewery financially supporting a three-year campaign to help tackle the issue.
“Partnerships like this are vital if we are to tackle invasive species at the scale needed,” Jodie Mills, director of West Cumbria Rivers Trust, said.
“Himalayan balsam is a huge issue across our catchments, but with the support of Jennings Brewery and the local community, we can make real, lasting improvements for the River Cocker. It’s a brilliant example of people coming together to protect the places that matter to them.”
To support the campaign, Jennings Brewery has brewed Balsam Basher, a beer inspired by the plant’s floral aroma.
Dates for Pull Together: Bash the Balsam
- June 6 1pm to 4pm
- June 24 10am to 3pm
- July 8 10am to 3pm
- July 25 1pm to 4pm
Visit https://www.jenningsbrewery.co.uk/pages/wcrt-x-jennings-pull-together to find out more and view the full balsam pull information including meet locations.
