Lynne Allbutt

Fire and Water

Our Labyrinths are creating an energy and momentum of their own with Bluestone, in Pembrokeshire, http://www.bluestonewales.com/  and Penbont in Brecon http://www.penpont.com/ now hosting their own mown monuments.  They’re also proving popular for weddings as the Bride and Groom enter separately and meet in the middle, honouring each other’s individual life paths knowing that all paths lead to the centre and that they will reunite there.

Although we are not creating a Labyrinth there, I have been given the dubious honour of being David’s http://www.goffee.co.uk/  ‘glamorous assistant’ for his Fire Show for the finale at the International Story Telling  Festival at St Donat’s Castle tomorrow evening 1^st July).  I just hope it doesn’t turn out to be a ‘Baptism of Fire’.   

And this wouldn’t be a gardening column if I didn’t mention the wettest June on record.  One of my favourite books is The Wrong Kind of Snow, (The Complete Daily Companion to the British weather) written by local authors Antony Woodward and Robert Penn in which they claim ‘British life and British weather are inseparable’.   Reading about previous Midsummer Days reveals that 2006 was also a wash out as revellers at Stonehenge missed sunrise due to pouring rain and also tells of disastrous British summers in Shakespearean times as depicted by Titania’s ‘bad weather speech’ from Midsummer Night’s Dream.  In 1596, as grain rotted in the fields before it ripened, Shakespeare himself was accused of hoarding grain to profit from soaring prices.  So it seems wet summers and racketeering is as old as cold water itself.  As I write this, with rain drumming on the window, and the economic and financial crisis being discussed on the radio it seems, on that level, little has changed.

From Lynne Allbutt's Green Scene column for the Western Mail 30th June 2012

Going Back To My Roots - 'The Panda Made Me do It'

I always find the New Year a great time for creativity and planning more unusual and unconventional challenges for the year ahead.  Last year over dinner with a group of friends, I committed to my Barefoot Challenge which culminated in a Barefoot 10K Run in Battersea Park and getting my name in the Guinness Book of World Records with fellow Barefoot Runners. This year dinner with the same friends resulted in planning several more unusual challenges; the first being rediscovering my 'dark side'.  

I recently saw a TV advert by WWF asking people to sponsor the Snow Leopard.  As an Ambassador for World Animal Day, it caught my eye and got me musing about a leopard changing its spots.  I discussed this and various relevant fundraising options with my dinner-friends and before the main course was cleared, I had committed to changing my hair colour to raise money and awareness for WWF/World Animal Day.  Now before you dismiss this as not being a dangerous sport or a particularly knee-knocking challenge, just think for a minute - would you dye your hair to change your look?  Really?   Even if it was your 'trademark' and if it had become your identity? 

I am reasonably well known as a blonde; it has worked well for me for 25 years (no, I'm not a natural blonde; when people call me a dumb blonde I pay no attention - I know I'm not dumb and I know I'm not blonde.)  Anyway as I was saying, being blonde has worked well for me in the predominantly male working environment of landscaping and even in media and TV.  And I’m about to risk changing all that.

Next week I will be going down to Lucy Hockey's Hair Studio in Abergavenny and going dark!   Yes, I am nervous.  Probably even more nervous than when I did the parachute jump and the wing walk.  They are different nerves.  Jumping out of a plane, or even being strapped to one, requires a certain type of courage that is ignited and fuelled by adrenalin.  And even Howard Marks recently admitted to me that his Live Shows provide him with the adrenalin fix that he needs. Changing your personal appearance requires courage without the aid of adrenalin and that just makes it all the more uncomfortable.  It's completely psychological but then often the biggest challenges are.

I have worked a lot with Joe Calzaghe for Beat Bullying as I was bullied at school, simply for being who I was.  Dying my hair was no doubt an attempt to become someone else and provide a little bit of an ‘alter ego’.  And it has served my ego well.  But now it is time for authenticity.  As Jonathan Cainer told me, 2012 would bring big changes for us all, as we discovered new ways of doing things and embraced our authentic selves.  Nice one Jonathan!

It so happens that WWF are currently running a fabulous campaign 'The Panda Made Me Do It' .... which encourages people to share the fun-fundraising events that 'The Panda Made Them Do!'   See more at http://www.wwf.org.uk/how_you_can_help/the_panda_made_me_do_it/   Therefore when my nerves get the better of me and I doubt my ability or courage to make such a big personal change, I can absolve myself of all responsibility and catagorically blame the Panda (Your Honour).  Win win!

Anyway, I would really appreciate your support, emotionally and financially, and ask that if you would like to sponsor me (and help the leopards by proving ‘one can change one’s spots’) that you drop me a quick email at [email protected] or DM me on FB or Twitter.

I’ll keep you posted x

 

A Good Sign!

I have spent my week learning sign language as an Intensive Course with CHIIC in Newport www.CHIIC.co.uk and it has been absolutely amazing.  Backache was replaced with a headache as the old grey matter tried to get to grips with a completely new language and  I freely admit I haven’t even managed to do much in my own garden as a result, let alone anyone else’s.  However I have been instilled with so much confidence that I am determined to carry out a complete Top Talk interview with tutors Charles and Gaye Hampton soon.  Watch this space ...

From Lynne Allbutt's column for the Western Mail 24th July 2010

More of Blaenau Gwent in Bloom

There have been fabulous entries for all catagories and I'm already losing a few hours sleep as the judge!  As Radio 2's Allotment gardener said at the launch of this year's 22nd Blaenau Gwent in Bloom competition, "What's important is the love and enjoyment that everyone gets out of gardening."  What is apparent as the week goes on is it's not only love and enjoyment that gardening brings to the creater or participant but also to the people who view it as they pass by.

Private gardens, commercial premises and public places are all using plants and flowers to brighten up the environment as well as people's days so if you haven't entered this year make a note in the diary to enter next! 

  

Blaenau Gwent in Bloom ....contd!

Despite heavy rain and high winds last night, gardens in Blaenau Gwent are still looking bloomin' marvellous.  The school entries are continuing to amaze me.  The children are so enthusiastic about 'growing their own' and some have even postponed harvesting their veg until they have been judged - that's discipline!  These potatoes (left) were harvested as we judged today and the pride on the kids faces is obvious.  One teacher voiced the benefits of the children growing their own, "when I asked what we used potatoes for, one little boy said 'chips' and then when asked and where did they come from, he shouted 'MacDonalds!'.  It's a fabulous way for them to learn where really food comes from."

Another pupil proudly munched his way along the salad row as  he told me what each type of lettuce was and a charming young lad at one of the Special Needs Units told me about his plans to be a grass cutter for the Council when he grew up.  Gardening is a great leveller and all you need is a bit of energy and passion which these children have in abundance.  Not only are they learning about how food is grown but also life skills, like planning, patience, commitment and teamwork, though I had to laugh when a little girl was digging a hole to plant a beautiful agapanthus for the school to remember her by as she was moving to a new school next year.  As she hit a stone we were all impressed by one of the lads stepping in and digging the stone out for her ..... before handing her the spade back to finish digging the hole while he watched with folded arms.  Classic!

Also deserving recognition and a big thank you are the teachers, caretakers, parents and helpers who are responsible for making it possible for the pupils to grow their own.  From clearing ground and constructing raised beds to watering and watching over projects, they freely give of their time and expertise too.  Well done to you all! 

 

My Week

I have been at a bit of a low ebb this week.  What with one thing and another, the heat finally proved a bit much whilst working with heavy machinery midweek and was forced to take it easy for a day or two.  Not a natural ‘relaxer’, I respect (and almost envy) my animals as they enjoy their guilt-free snoozes and siestas and according to a German zoologist, honey bees aren't as busy as people are led to believe either.  Professor Randolf Menzel, has studied bees for four decades and claims, "Bees are not particularly hardworking.  Instead they sleep a lot and are lazy.  They spend up to 80% of the night sleeping and even during the day they often fly to the nest where they rest their wings.”  I’m not convinced, my bees seem pretty busy, so maybe it’s all relative ... I wonder just how busy Professor Menzel is?
My veg garden is bursting with goodies at the moment so I have also been busy in the kitchen. Cooking is confined to late evenings but the thrill of collecting, cooking and consuming home grown veggies soon lifts my spirits as well as my energy levels.    “It’s ok for you but I don’t have time for all that planting, picking and peeling nonsense,” moaned a Sex-in-the-City-style friend who does have time to go to a wine bar every night on the way home from work and time on the weekends to get preened, plucked and polished! Like I said, "it's all relative ..." 

Lynne Allbutt for Western Mail (Media Wales) 10.07.10

Spotted Flycatcher Fledglings

Thanks to Doris, my knowledgeable Nature-loving neighbour, I learnt my chirpy resident fledglings are in fact spotted flycatchers.  (and thankfully, as my brother swiftly pointed out, not bee catchers!)  I learn so much from the likes of Doris, Paul and Jan at Primrose Farm and Alan my bee mentor; I really value being amongst people that not only have acquired this sort of fabulous knowledge and experience but who are so willing and glad to share it.  I feel like a sponge soaking it all up!

My veg patch currently reminds me of a motorway – in the middle lane, cruising along happily are the peas and broad beans and potatoes,  in the fast lane is the spinach that bolted early, oriental radishes that went to seed as soon as I turned my back and courgettes that are becoming marrows in the blink of an eye;  and then ambling along in the slow lane are the runner beans which are being affectionately referred to as ‘walking beans’ this year.  And of course the cauli’s are still on the hard shoulder waiting for the recovery vehicle!

From Lynne Allbutt's column for Western Mail, 03.07.10

The Cute Carrot Excavator

During this wonderful weather, everyone wants my job.  Well, I don’t think it’s the work they want, just the opportunity to be outdoors.   Nobody’s quite so keen in the winter!
As predicted earlier in the season, my water butts have been a God Send, making the most of the odd downpour we’ve had and the effort involved in putting leaky pipe through the veg beds has definitely paid off.   I have learnt the hard way though not to use a sharp pronged fork for weeding.  After having to repair two punctures I will only be hand-pulling weeds from now on.
I have also been filling gaps in the veg beds to keep up the continuation of produce.  Buying  young plants from Garden Centre’s is an easy way to do this at this time of year and I’ve planted some new young cauliflowers to replace those damaged by the birds.  It’s not ideal but it works.
I’ve also sown more carrots as the last row were evidently prematurely harvested by Yogi, the terrier-ist. Sowing carrots later in the season means that you are less likely to have problems with the carrot fly though not necessarily energetic and enthusiastic Westie pups!

From Lynne Allbutt's column in the Western Mail (Media Wales) 26.06.10

Lynne's Labyrinths

John Flavell, my dowsing mentor,  and I got together this week to create a Labyrinth at a well known Holistic Retreat Centre.  As well as encouraging positive energy into an area, Labyrinths are great for meditation and it is thought that if you focus on a specific problem as you enter the Labyrinth then you will naturally meditate on creating the solution as you focus on following the cleverly designed meandering path to the centre.  Unlike a maze, a Labyrinth consists of one continuous path that will eventually lead you to the centre and back out again with no frustrating dead ends.   We marked ours out with a white-liner (thank you to Crickhowell Rugby Club for the loan) and then mowed the pathway itself for maximum definition.   With considerate mowing it’ll last as long as it is wanted and looks fantastic in its natural parkland setting.   Labyrinths can also be of a more permanent nature by using different materials and methods of construction (as this pictured stone labyrinth shows) and are particularly effective at night when lit by little solar lights.
I later found out that 1st May was actually World Labyrinth Day, a day that brings people from all over the planet together in celebration of the labyrinth as a symbol, a tool, a passion or a practice; just good timing or engineered by greater energies than we will know? You decide.
For more details and great photos of Labyrinths, pop into www.labyrinthsociety.org

Taken from Lynne Allbutt's Green Scene colunm for the Western mail (Media Wales) 01.05.10

My Week

Believe it or not we have been working outdoors (though I admit to a part-time presence).   Beds and borders have been cleared of last year’s herbaceous growth,  climbers have been tied in, fence panels have been repaired, hands have been cwtched into armpits and noses have run constantly.
My brother’s tea froze before he could get the top back on the flask, tools left on the ground have frozen to it and vehicles have had to be defrosted to leave site.  It’s been cold. 
My Sealskin socks have continued to be fabulous though my addiction to the woodburner in the evening has resulted in a couple of chilblains and I have yet to find a heavy duty moisturiser that will stop my lips and nose from fraying.  Not very glamorous admittedly but I’m still not looking for an office job.