Lynne Allbutt

Judging: "before you point the finger, make sure your hands are clean"

For someone who tries not to 'judge' too much, I am doing quite a lot of it next weekend!  On Saturday I'll be judging the pumpkin competition at Llanbedr's Autumn Jamboree, being held at Moor Park, Llanbedr NP8 1SS, just outside of Crickhowell.  Officially starting at 5.30, the pumpkin competition is followed by a fabulous auction including champagne, wheelbarrow, fishing, guided walk in the Grwyne Fechan, locally produced beef, pictures, food hampers, Jacob's fleece, quite a lot of wine, jigsaw puzzles, massage, antique prints, china, to name but a few things and obviously offering something to tempt everyone. There is also a BBQ, live band and the traditional bar! The event is being held in aid of the Vale of Grwyney Churches, which includes the beautiful Patricio Church, (link below) which everyone loves. http://www.churchinwales.org.uk/parishholding/monmouth/m159-en/church-life-en/church-of-the-month/july-09-patricio-church    So go and pick your pumpkin, carve it up and I'll see you on Saturday.   For more details contact Annabelle Elletson 01873 811 330 or 0774 053 7694

Then on Sunday I'll be at Newport Road in Castleton judging Blooms Cardiff Garden Centre's, 'Grow Your Own' plot competition.  The winner will win a GYO plot for a year, rent free.  
There are currently sixty-eight plots, out of the garden centre’s 103 plots, rented out to customers. People wishing to rent a plot will be required to sign up for a plot for one year. 
 Each plot is around 90 square metres. A basic plot, which costs £5 per week, includes a composter and access to a water trough; alternatively, people can have a site that includes a greenhouse and a shed, as well as a water butt to help with water capture and conservation, for £10 per week. Half of the plots have a greenhouse and shed, however, these can be provided for any site. The whole site is rabbit-proofed.       For more details contact Jason Perman on  02920 777977 or visit     http://www.thegardencentregroup.co.uk/garden-centres/blooms/Blooms-Cardiff-Garden-Centre/2X

Gardening News with Andrea Benfield

Despite describing her gardening experience as ‘having only dabbled’, ITV Wales Tonight presenter, Andrea Benfield has already established a herb garden in the new house she shares with fiancé Lee Byrne.  “We now have a bit more garden than I’ve been used to.” She explains, “it’s a nice size for socialising, we have a deck with potted plants and a patio next to the kitchen where I have planted herbs so, in theory at least,  I can just nip out and pick some when I’m cooking.  All I need to do now is learn to cook and I’ll be flying,” she adds good humouredly.
“As children, my sister and I had our own little patch of garden at the side of the house.  I remember growing herbs and flowers at a young age, with my little trowel.  And I do have a pink trowel that I use now,” she adds.  “I’m not really a girly girl but they are lots of nice gardening accessories like that and I think they’re fun.” 
“I’m relying on friends for gardening advice quite a lot at the moment and will get some help until I can learn what to do myself.  We will do more with the garden at some stage but I must admit that those plans have slipped down my list a bit as Lee and I plan our winter Wedding.”
Whilst maybe not concentrating on flowers outdoors, Andrea has been giving thought to her Wedding flowers, “I’ve not completely decided on the Wedding flowers yet.”  She says cautiously, “my favourites are orchids and lilies but for that wintery touch, I’ll probably include things like ivy and mistletoe.  I’m getting great advice from Emma at ‘Love Lily’ in Abergavenny  and  she’s keeping me sane.”
As an Ambassador for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, Andrea is constantly promoting the benefits of being active outdoors and is also a keen runner herself.  “I enjoy running to keep fit and  I’m not keen on the gym.  My favourite run is around Cardiff Bay as there are great views and it’s nice to see people but as I move about a lot and spend a lot of time in London, I run wherever I can.  I’m training for the Cardiff Half Marathon at the moment which is on the 16th  October.”
Although they are both too busy to have pets of their own just yet, Andrea explains, “We are sort of  Uncle and Aunt to Lee’s parent’s Labradoodle, Harvey.  He’s huge, we’re surprised at how big he’s grown,” she laughs, “and he loves long walks; it’s really handy as we love taking him out but then we can hand him back afterwards.”  Find out more about Andrea and what she’s up to at  http://www.andreabenfield.com/ 
Walk your talk
You can support ITV’s Walk4Life Day tomorrow (Sunday) by joining Andrea’s ITV Wales colleague Ruth Wignall as she leads the Welsh walk from the Norwegian Church,  at 11 am, to the Cardiff Bay Barrage.  Organised in association with Ramblers Cymru Walk4Life is part of ITV’s support for the Department of Health’s and the Welsh Government’s Change4Life campaigns, to encourage us to be more aware and take better care of our health.   Walking in the fresh air not only has physical benefits but will also lift your spirits; as historian George Trevelyan said , “I have two doctors, my left leg and my right.”  Find out more at http://www.nhs.uk/change4life/Pages/change-for-life.aspxhttp://www.nhs.uk/change4life/Pages/change-for-life.aspx

from Lynne Allbutt's Green Scene column for the Western Mail 24th September

Daring to bare with Blue Peter's Chris Collins

TV gardener Chris Collins admits he is probably still best known as the Blue Peter gardener.  He explains, “I’ve done 8 years of Blue Peter now.  When I started no one really talked about gardening, you either did it or you didn’t.  I’ve watched it grow in popularity through the media and especially for kids.  There is a real ground swell in schools now and I work a lot with 7-11 year olds.   From 11, all they want are new trainers and the latest computer game.”  He laughs. “As adults we pontificate to kids and that’s the wrong way to engage them. You’ve got to look at the world through their eyes, especially with gardening. That’s why I make a compost bin look like a Darlek. The kids get it.”

 The popular hands-on gardener has been enjoying the 'green life'  for over 25 years, “When I left school I knew I didn’t want  a job working inside.  I hated the classroom.  I started as an Apprentice gardener for Brighton Parks and in just 2 weeks I knew it was for me.  Everything I’ve done since has come from that apprenticeship.  I learned so much practical stuff.  The green-keepers I worked with knew every blade of grass on their patch.  Apprenticeships are a big thing for me.  We should give kids a trade today, something they can be passionate about.  I really try to support people who want to be gardeners. There are many different aspects of gardening. It’s not just about design,  you’ve got to be able to maintain a garden not just design and create it; it’s so important to be hands on.  The media thinks design is far sexier than cutting a hedge so that’s the bit you read about all the time.  “We’d be knackered without gardening,” he continues passionately, “ We have been gardening for thousands of years but supermarkets have only been around for a few decades.  And it’s very spiritual, gardening grounds you; I always feel completely connected to everything around me, it’s really important.”

Chris’s recent BBC documentary, The Wonder of Weeds was a great success and he is now working on BBC3’s Young Gardener of the Year.  “I’m really buzzed out about it; the contestants are really enthusiastic and creative. The finals are at the end of the month, it’s been great.   I’ve also joined forces with Nick Knowles to do a DIY SOS for Children In Need and have got a book coming out in January.  It’s called Grow Your Own for Kids and I’m really excited about it; it’s aimed at 7-11 year old and it’s very practical.”

A busy schedule and lots of travelling means he doesn’t have much time for his own garden. “I’m a big fan of container gardening.  I worked in Tokyo for 5 years and worked on lots of balconies and roof gardens.”  He explains, “I love bedding and veg planted up in potagers.  It means I can move them about as I want to as well; I’m a real container man!”  find out more about Chris and what he's up to at  http://www.chriscollins.org.uk/

Chris is also Patron of Trees for Cities, an independent Charity established in 1993 which inspires people to plant and love trees worldwide and who are organising the Barefoot Tree-athlon that  I am taking part in today.  Chris explains, “It’s a great Charity, there are progressive people involved, passionate about what they’re doing.  I love starting the race and getting in amongst the crowd giving tips for planting and growing on little saplings.”    http://www.treesforcities.org/

from Lynne Allbutt's Green Scene column for the Western Mail 17th Sept 2011

Hanging Gardens for Everyone

Whilst in London for my Barefoot Tree-athlon and World Record attempt last weekend, I found time to pop into the upside down Garden Party at The Old Shoreditch Station.    Green-fingered design house, Boskke joined forces with event organisers JaguarShoes Collective to promote their very first range of illustrated Sky Planters.  Nature-inspired illustrators, Marcus Oakley and Arran Gregory have incorporated their beautiful bespoke artwork with Boskke’s innovative Sky Planters which hold and display indoor plants upside down from the ceiling.  As well as freeing up surface space on desks and windowsills, the plants are kept healthier by watering and feeding watered through an ingenious porous reservoir.  The soil is kept in place by a clever locking disc or ceramic collar and simple plastic mesh.  I love the concept and am planning to hang herbs upside down in the kitchen. Choose from ceramic or recycled plastic; prices start from £9.95. Visit  http://www.boskke.com/ for more details.

from Lynne Allbutt's Green Scene column for the Western Mail  17th September 2011

Unshodden update - race day is nearly here!

Well it’s nearly here ... my Barefoot Tree-athlon, for ‘Trees for Cities’ in Battersea Park and the reason I kicked my boots off back at the beginning of the year. 
It’s been a tricky path to negotiate and admittedly the boots have been back on much of the time – especially for work.  Landscaping, dry stone walling, and tiny-holding chores don’t lend themselves to bare toes.
I started the year well, despite the cold.  Walking across the moors in January seems so long ago though I can still remember the pain, not from whatever went underfoot but from the cold.  It was the cold and car parks that were my main obstacles.  The cold for obvious reasons but car parks are just so ‘dirty’, with a daunting covering of grit and glass; tarmac is also extremely cold in the winter. 
Other possible obstacles were overcome with enthusiasm and nervous energy – obstacles like visiting supermarkets, restaurants, giving talks and presentations, Radio Shows and even just walking down the High Street.  I only encountered positive comments and encouragement; it was enlightening, especially as I expected confrontation particularly in Public places.
Moving up a gear and progressing from simply being barefoot to running unshodden was another interesting level.  Running barefoot on the mountain moss or grass is exhilarating and liberating; running barefoot on tarmac is unforgiving and abrasive ... initially.  Persevere and it too can become exhilarating and liberating although it is easy to underestimate the effect of sole-on-road.  Imagine pumice-stoning your feet and times it by 100.  Some days have been much easier than others which I put down to emotional and hormonal states!  Sensitivity has a whole new meaning when you are shoe-loose and fancy free.
I met the Barefoot Doctor for lunch a few times and he was incredibly supportive .... and shod!  He is an amazing guy; insightful, authentic and humble .... all words that came up a lot whilst I was barefoot.  There is a definite spiritual shift once you skip shoes for any length of time.  I’m sure most of us have experienced it at the beach or in the park briefly but the longer you are ‘sans shoes’ the more ‘aware’ you become – of everything. 
You are obviously more focussed from a practical viewpoint simply because you have to look where you’re going; that in itself is like a permanent walking meditation and stills that constant inane chatter in our heads.  You are also more aware of your surroundings simply because you are literally more connected to them.  I didn’t want to eat meat; I meditated more; I talked less and listened more; I became more assured and authentic; and these are just a few of the organic changes that I noticed.
Toward late spring, it became apparent that although being barefoot required one to be hardy, being without my steel toe-capped boots in my area of work was fool-hardy.  I still chose to be unshodden as often as was safe and sensible but it wasn’t as often as I’d have preferred. Whereas I could see the benefits of being barefoot, unfortunately my Bank Manger couldn’t.
I have continued to train without trainers and am feeling confident about running the 5K barefoot on Saturday.  It is my intention to continue to indulge in barefoot bliss as often as I can and also to continue to promote the advantages of being unshodden at least occasionally -  in particular as an ideal way to encourage people to re-connect with Nature; another of my projects. 
I’d like to thank all the people who have supported my unshodden journey thus far; from friends, Vibram Five Fingers, celebrities, Charity hosts  and even more random corporate kindness like that of the Pestana Chelsea Bridge Hotel who will be welcoming me for my pre-race night.
My barefoot experience has already led to many unexpected opportunities and I am sure will lead to many more.  I am a great believer in each one of us having a Divine Path, as described by many great teachers like Florence Scovel Shinn,  and I highly recommend at least part of it be travelled unshodden.   http://www.abergavenny-chronicle-today.co.uk/News.cfm?id=33648&headline=Lynne's%20running%20wild%20for%20charity

"Ladies I Love - more than gardening!" says Ceri Dupree

Wales’ own female impersonator Ceri Dupree is adamant, “I have absolutely no memories of gardening as a child; we had a big garden but I never had any interest in it whatsoever. 
“I do like gardens now but not too perfect, which is unusual for me as I’m orderly in everything I do.  I like gothic-y type gardens, not eerie exactly but a bit wild.”
“My own front garden is all chippings with 3 huge gothic style urns and the back garden is large but mostly lawn, which is great for parties.  I have got blue pots everywhere which look very Greek or Mediterranean and they have got plants in them but I’ve not a clue what they are. They’re all green foliage with a little bit of purple.”
The international star, who has also written and produced his own shows, confesses, “I was always the comedian at school and used to impersonate the teachers.   When I was 13 or 14 I impersonated Mrs Thatcher at a school Concert.  My whole family was in entertainment and at 17 I started to do the Clubs.  Shirley Bassey was really popular, so I did a lot of other strong women like Tina Turner and Ruth Madocs.  Ruth loves my impressions of her.” He adds
“I love doing the old stars, the Divas like Bette Davies and Marilyn Monroe, they have so much gravitas.  Adele is a modern favourite as is Lady Gaga.  Some impersonations just don’t work; I tried to do Kathryn Jenkins but couldn’t get the right angle and I still can’t do Judy Garland; I have limitations.” He laughs, adding  “Some just come out of the blue.  I do Camilla Parker Bowles in her full riding outfit, the audience love to hate her; she’s like  a pantomime villain.”
“I toyed with the idea of doing Charlie Dimmock years ago but didn’t think she was funny enough really, or glamorous enough,” he adds.
Whilst not the most enthusiastic gardener I’ve spoken to, Ceri does love and appreciate being outdoors, “I used to ride horses when I was a kid and then a few years ago when I was in South Africa, I was a bit drunk at a party when the host asked if I liked horse-riding. I said ‘I was practically born on a horse’ which backfired a bit when he took a group of us riding the next day.  I did manage to stay on but I knew I’d been rumbled!”
“I like walking and would love to do more of the beautiful cliff walks in Penarth.  I did a lot of walking in Greece recently.  It’s good thinking time but most of my creative time is whilst driving the 3 or 4 hours to a Show.  Work can be mental.  Sometimes I do three shows a week, sometimes it’s sixteen.”
“I’m looking forward to the Cardiff dates, people come from all over the UK to the Cardiff Show; There’s a real sparkle to it and of course I tailor it to the Welsh.”
You can see Ceri (and Camilla) and his brand new show, ‘Ladies I Love’ at the New Theatre, Cardiff on the 16th and 17th September.  For more details visit http://www.ceridupree.com/

from Lynne Allbutt's Green Scene column for the Western Mail 10th Sept 2011

The 'art' of gardening with Simon Drew

The World famous artist Simon Drew recalls being forced into gardening by his parents, “Dad would cut the hedge and I’d have to clear it up,” he explains, “the most entertaining times I remember in the garden were pouring petrol down wasps nests and then being chased by them as they got more and more angry; I get Pest Control in these days.”
“I do a fair amount of gardening, though not as much as I’d like. Like most people I do too many other things.”   He continues, adding, “my wife, Caroline, (pictured with Simon and dog, Rabbit) calls it out-door housework.”
“Our garden is nearly vertical.  We look out to sea one way and up-river the other, so whilst the views are fantastic the lawn is almost impossible to cut.  I get someone in to do that as well.”
I do make an effort to grow some fruit and vegetables, though we can’t grow a lot of things here as they get bashed by the wind so hanging baskets are out,” he adds.
Although always interested in art, Simon studied science, obtained a degree in Zoology and taught Biology for years before pursuing his passion.  “I always wanted to be an artist but was told, nobody makes a living at Art; I was 28 before I jumped ship.  Then 30 years ago we moved to Dartmouth and set up the two shops and a studio and have been here ever since.”
“I love drawing animals and birds in particular and have also been quite inspired by gardening.  I have designed products for the gardening company Apple to Pears, from Lawn Ranger hats and socks, to lidded mugs and then there are themes including Vegetables of the Silver Screen, like  ‘Phantom of the Ochre’ and ‘War and Peas’.
Once described as half artist and half wit, Simon recently took part in Channel 4’s Come Dine With Me, “It was painful in parts he admits, “I’m more of a gardener than a chef.”
The witty artist is also a renowned author and has just had his 28th book published. “Gin Will Fix It,  is another mixture of funny pages.  I enjoy doing the books and they lend credence to everything else.  Most subjects start off as cards then develop into mugs or books.   Golf and gardening are the two subjects that are always easy to make fun of and are popular.  They are both middle class things I suppose.”
You can enjoy examples of Simon’s witty work at http://www.simondrew.co.uk/   And many thanks to Phil Scoble for the fabulous photo. http://philscoble.wordpress.com/

Mugs-hot
Ideal for these colder mornings in the garden, Simon’s lidded gardening mugs can be purchased at http://www.atpgifts.com/  at £8.99.  Choose from fabulous designs like Gardener’s Question Thyme, Gardening Angel, Weeder’s Digest, Raindrops Keep Falling on my Shed and Tree Cheers.

 

From Lynne Allbutt's Green Scene column for the Western Mail (Media Wales) 3rd September 2011