In County Durham's Deerness Valley, the soft-rush plant, Juncus effusus, is thriving due to the region's mild and wet winter. These spiky clumps, resembling porcupines from afar, are prolific seed-setters and spread aggressively across waterlogged grazing lands. Historically, the soft-rush pith was used by the rural poor to create rushlights, a form of lighting before the advent of electric lights. The pith, encased in animal fat, served as wicks that burned for about 20 minutes, providing light similar to modern safety matches.