February Vaughan Forum: 'The Giant Giant Hogweed Caper of 1970'

In the early summer of 1970, massed ranks of Giant Hogweed ravaged the UK, burning children and annexing riverbanks, woodland, and canals. Or, at least, that was the impression given by some media outlets at the time. While the truth was somewhat less dramatic, still these twelve-foot monsters, packed with phototoxic sap, became something of a public sensation. Dr Stuart Mitchell reaches back into the nineteenth century to explain how a highly desirable ornamental plant became an invasive menace.

About the Presenter

Dr Stuart Mitchell has been lecturing in history at the Open University for nearly 30 years. He is the author of The Brief and Turbulent Life of Modernising Conservatism (2008). He runs the Curious Histories talks programme, a series of online and in person talks, which raises money for a foodbank in Brighton.

About the Vaughan Forum

The Vaughan Forum is a series of talks, discussions or workshops hosted by Leicester Vaughan College. To find other Leicester Vaughan College events visit: https://vaughan.coop/courses/