A brilliantly successful volunteering event pulling out Floating Pennywort was held on the Grand Union Canal in Bourne End, Hemel Hempstead on Saturday 11^th June.

It was a great day of partnership working involving Hemel Hempstead Canoe Club, Whoosh Canoe Club, British Canoeing, Groundwork South and volunteers.  

The patches of Floating Pennywort were from small to medium in size and made for a good but not too demanding day out on the Grand Union Canal.

Floating Pennywort is a non native invasive species damaging the aquatic ecosystem choking the life out of local rivers, learn more here about how to identify it and its harmful effects.

The weather was in our favour as it was a sunny Saturday with cloud intervals so perfect working conditions.

The group was split into two working parties: one in the water led by Ben Francis from British Canoeing and the one on land led by Chloe Crompton from Groundwork South.

If you’re interested in attending the next Pennywort Pulling event please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Please report any pennywort you see to the NNIS Reporting App

A massive thank you to all that volunteered their time and effort. They have made a big difference to the waterways in Hemel Hempstead.

One of the volunteers said: ‘Its my first time pennywort pulling, it’s a demanding but rewarding activity’ 

‘It was enjoyable, and a great sense of achievement to see the before/after comparison of the stretch we worked on.’

Outcomes:

• Pennywort training session completed
• Distance travelled 2.2KM -clearing one lock including mass removal and forensic removal. 
• With over 20 people present working effectively as a team 
• Volunteer hours 115 hours
• Food to feed the weevils at CABI as part of their biological control into floating pennywort.