“Thank you for your article drawing attention to non-native invasive species affecting our countryside. I am a woodland owner in the Darlington area. An ancient spring arises in the wood and forms a stream lower down in the paddock. Last year I was horrified to find the stream surrounded by Himalayan Balsam, which I immediately removed (the roots are very shallow and can be pulled out easily). I have had to do the same this year albeit to a lesser extent. I found it difficult to obtain any advice regarding its control and disposal. Mine had come from surrounding hedgerows. The council advised disposing of the plants in the garden waste skip at the local recycling centre – I didn’t do that, bad advice, I thought.”
Janice wondered whose responsibility it was to control these types of invaders, particularly when they have such a detrimental effect on our own flora and fauna, but her efforts produced little useful advice. “I ended up drying and burning. I can see that it is still growing happily in local hedges around here, the Heighington area, and as far as I can see it will continue as no-one seems to know what it is or what to do with it. So thank you for bringing the problem to the attention of your readers.”
A few days later, Janice provided a further update: “I think I have got rid of mine for now but will check every year and pull it out. I know the organisations are low on resources, so don’t want to point the finger. Since finding it on my land I have become more eagle-eyed and spotted it in places in back of hedges etc. where I had just never noticed before.”
We have to thank people like Janice for taking the matter seriously and doing what they can to limit the damage. Nevertheless it would it would be good to hear from someone who is familiar with Himalayan Balsam and knows the best way to deal with it. Are there any protocols in place when a new invasive species is found, I wonder? Do get in touch if you can enlighten us further (contact details at the end of this column).
I was also contacted by Richard Simpson after he had read my piece about tuberculosis and the sanatorium at Benenden in Kent. The sanatorium was established in 1905 after many postal workers fell ill with TB but could not afford to take time off for treatment, and thus continued to infect their colleagues.
“My grandfather’s cousin Archibald Leary was a post office worker in Wigan who contracted TB and died in the Benenden Sanatorium on 30th December 1930 aged 38. From his Post Office sickness pay records, he was given sick pay for just short of 12 months before being ‘sacked’ on 14th July 1929. It was good to see he was still able to use the sanatorium even though he was no longer an employee…He was buried in Wigan on the 2nd January 1931…It is quite remarkable how quickly he was buried following his death considering the need to transport his body over the New Year period.”
It’s sad to know that Archibald may have been saved had antibiotics been available then. Yet he did have access to the best help and knowledge around at the time through belonging to the Post Office society. Even after his employment ceased he was still treated at Benenden Sanatorium (although you’d have hoped so seeing as it is likely his working conditions may have contributed to his illness!).
Richard added: “Are you aware of any records of admissions to the sanatorium so that I can do some more research?”
I passed on some ideas to Richard as to where to go to find out more information. When I wrote the society’s history book in 2005, they had a museum, as well as the ‘Rising Mercury Society’, a ‘club’ for ex-patients that had been going for many, many years and which may be able to help Richard to access historical records.
Let’s hope he gets back in touch if he finds out any more about Archibald’s touching story.
Do you have opinions, memories or ideas to share with me? Get in touch with me using the ‘Contact’ button on the top right.
This column appeared in the Darlington & Stockton Times on Friday 28th and the Ryedale Gazette and Herald on Wednesday 26th August 2026
The Countryman's Daughter 