THE Croal-Irwell Group knows only too well about the problem of alien fresh water plants clogging British ponds and waterways.

New Zealand stonecrop (Cassula Helmsii) has invaded a pond on our Summerseat Nature Reserve.

In her talk Freshwater Flora - Goodies and Baddies, Doctor Ruth Hall explained that this plant escaped into the wild from an Essex garden centre in the 1950s and spread throughout the country.

Autumn leaves surrounded us with colour as we walked trough the wooded valley owned by the National Trust at Hardcastle Crags. We also enjoyed watching a dipper feeding during our November field trip.

Gordon Yates will present Islay magic at the Longfield Suite, on Wednesday, December 3, starting at 7.30pm, for our next indoor meeting.

The next field trip to Woolston Eyes is on Sunday, December 7.

For further information please contact chairman Mr Geoff Higginbottom on 0161 720 6100. SMF