Lynne Allbutt

Winning by Smiles

Last year’s Grand National winning jockey, Liam Treadwell admits to feeling better after working up a sweat in his garden.  “Only last week I got uptight and stressed out, so just took a fork out into my garden and spent half an hour digging over the soil; I felt much better after.”
The likeable jockey who will be riding Nozic today continues, “I have just bought a house in Tewkesbury, with a small garden and as the summer months are quiet for me I plan to get stuck into the garden.  My parents take great pride in their garden which backs onto the Castle grounds in Arundel and my brother has just started working in the grounds of the Castle too.  It’s a beautiful site.  We are a real outdoor family and I was always outdoors as a kid; I grew up around ponies and started riding when I was about 8 years old. 
“It was my very first Grand National last year and I was as surprised as anyone when I won (on the 100/1 outsider Mon Mome).  I was delighted; I didn’t even know I would be riding until just 48 hours before the race.  I got a call whilst I was at a BBQ, so I thought I’d better put my beer and beef burger down straight away,” he laughs. 
Following his win, a casual remark by racing commentator, Claire Balding became as widely reported as his success.  “She mentioned I could afford to get my teeth fixed with my winnings,” he laughs.  “The press made a huge issue of her being insensitive but I’ve grown up with crooked teeth so it wasn’t an issue for me.  I was on such a high that I didn’t take any notice anyway but then Dr Thang Nghiem from Ultrasmile Dentistry (www.ultrasmile.co.uk) approached me and asked me if I wanted them fixed, so I said yes please.  I owe Claire a big thank you.” he grins confidently.
 Although a stranger to vanity, the good natured jockey does like to keep fit and eat healthily.  “Some friends have got their own veggie patch and they throw some fresh veg my way sometimes.  I would like to grow my own one day.  I used to get stuck into gardening with dad when I was a kid, though I was probably more of a hindrance than a help.” He smiles.  “I’d like to have a bit of lawn in my new garden, some bright coloured flowers and patio doors that open straight into the garden.  I love the fresh air, it’s so good for you mentally as well as physically and I can go and have a good workout in the garden when the owners and trainers stress me out.”

From Lynne Allbutt's Green Scene in the Western Mail (Media Wales) 10.04.10 

 

The Incredible Runner 'Being'

Inspirational writer and lecturer, Rosie Swale Pope MBE is busy preparing for her latest extreme adventure, running 26 marathons in 26 days.  “I will be running my first marathon in Tenby, my home town,  on the 5th April,” she explains, “I see Spring and Easter as a time of hope and amnesty as the flowers and buds burst into life.  It seemed an ideal time for my next fund raising challenge.”
Well known for running around the World (‘Just a Little Run Around the World’ can be purchased from www.amazon.co.uk)  with her trusty cart Icebird, Rosie explains, “It has been hard finding the time to train this time as I have been busy lecturing and earning money to enable me to do this challenge.  I always use my own money to eat and sleep somewhere ... though I’m not sure where I’m sleeping yet she adds, “I have spent many nights sleeping in Icebird in foreign countries.” 
“In Tenby, 25 people will join me to raise money too.  I have asked each person just to run a mile with me so they will support me and can be sponsored themselves for running or doing a ‘smile with Rosie’.  Hopefully other supporters will do the same as I run through the rest of the 25 towns and cities.  I do hope people will come and say Hello, it makes all the difference.”
“26 marathons in 26 days, pulling a cart is an unknown quantity, it’s never been done.  Even when I ran around the World, I could do 5 miles one day and maybe 30 the next, so I had a little freedom.  I do believe we can always do more than we think we can though, it’s all about taking smaller steps when the going gets tough.   Real adventures can be found in everyday life, they are not exclusive to people landing on the moon.”  She adds cheerfully.
Rosie started her Extreme Adventures to raise money for Charities that highlight the importance of cancer awareness and early diagnosis when her beloved husband Clive died 8 years ago.   “I thought if I did something that got me noticed then I could write about it afterwards,” she explained, “ I have slept in ditches and survived temperatures of minus 62 degrees;  one has to just keep going and it’s the same in everyday life, one must never give up no matter how difficult something may seem.”
“When I get a little bit jaded I plant a flower and when I run I get a huge amount of inspiration from the little flowers blossoming in the hedgerows.  One of the hardest things about sailing the Atlantic (single-handed) is that I was at sea for 70 days without seeing a single flower or tree or any greenery.  I love flowers deeply; there is no jealousy or hatred in a garden." 
To support Rosie on her 681 mile run, please pop into www.rosies26marathonsin26days.co.uk where you will find JustGiving details and updates on her Blog.   All money raised will go to Ty Hafan and Helen House Hospices.

Taken from Lynne Allbutt's Green Scene column written for the Western Mail (Media Wales) 3.04.10