Latest news with #SophieWilloughby
BBC News
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
'I don't need to hide my tics after charity song'
A woman from Pool has been chosen to sing in a choir to record a song to highlight Tourette's Willoughby, 38, joined a group of singers who all have the condition to record the Nina Simone song 'Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood' to help charity Tourettes Action raise awareness."It's the perfect song for this campaign because Tourette's syndrome is one of the most misunderstood disorders," Mrs Willoughby Action said the condition affects one in 100 school-aged children and more than 300,000 people in the UK. 'I didn't know' Mrs Willoughby said her symptoms began when she was eight years old when she started grunting, coughing and worsened, she said, and she was diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome three years later in Willoughby said school had been very difficult and she had not wanted to go because she had not been sure what was said: "I didn't know what was going on, I'd blink, I'd tic and my eyes would twitch."This drew looks from other pupils, she said, and from teachers, too."I had a teacher mimic me," she said."I didn't know I was doing it so I didn't know why the teacher was mimicking me back and it was really upsetting."Child psychologists were assigned to her, but she said they did not understand why she did not want to go to school."I was the child that was treated like I was misbehaving, with them saying I was a problem and that I didn't want to go to school," she said. 'Comfortable in my own skin' It is people with Tourette's syndrome being misunderstood that inspired Mrs Willoughby to take part in the charity music said: "I've never been around people with Tourette's syndrome so to go to London and do that video with so many wonderful, beautiful people - to be accepted and to feel comfortable in my own skin and with who I am and to feel free to tic was the most special experience I've ever had."She said being with others with the syndrome made her realise how much she had hidden her tics."From that I have learned so much. To feel accepted and accept myself and I now feel I don't need to hide who I am and I don't need to hide my tics," she said: "The experience has had a longer lasting lifetime effect."I am who I am and I am learning not to be embarrassed because I've always felt I'm the weirdo, I was always treated like the weird child, like the problem."Being in that room was a sort of love and acceptance from people that understand and that was the amazing part for me."
Scottish Sun
29-04-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
I'm a gardening expert – the hidden danger in your driveway that could be silently killing your plants
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WHEN it comes to keeping your garden green and healthy, most of us think about watering, soil quality, and sunlight. But there's a hidden danger that could be harming your plants without you even realising — and it's sitting right on your driveway. 2 A hidden danger in your driveway could be silently killing your plants Credit: Alamy Motoring experts at Show Plates World are warning that the very place you park your car could be putting your garden at risk. This is because exhaust fumes from idling vehicles release harmful chemicals that can settle on nearby plants - damaging leaves, stunting growth, and even slowly killing them. The good news is that with a few easy changes, you can protect your plants and still enjoy a thriving driveway garden. Sophie Willoughby, a garden expert and RHS-trained horticulturalist, shared her experience with Show Plates World. 'A few years ago, I planted a beautiful bed of lavender and rosemary near my driveway,' she recalled. 'They started looking sickly and yellow within a few months, and nothing I did helped.' It wasn't until Sophie moved her car to the street for a few weeks — and saw the plants begin to recover — that she realised the exhaust fumes were to blame. 'Now, I always advise gardeners to be mindful of what they plant near driveways and think about how much car activity happens there,' Sophie said. 'A little change can save a lot of heartache.' But you don't have to leave your driveway empty to protect your plants. Alan Titchmarsh's 'easiest' tip will fix bald patches on your lawn in two minutes flat this spring & no it's not seeding Instead, a few smart moves can protect your green space while keeping your car parked safely. A spokesperson from Show Plates World says: "Most people think about car damage or driveway wear and tear — but few realise how much their vehicle can impact their garden. "By taking small steps like limiting idle time and choosing the right plants, drivers can enjoy a beautiful, healthy outdoor space without sacrificing convenience. 'Your garden is part of your home's first impression. "Keeping it vibrant and pollution-free doesn't just look good — it also creates a healthier environment for your family and your community.' Here are three tips every driver with a garden should know... 2 Exhaust fumes from your car can poison plants Credit: Getty Avoid idling your car near plants Try not to leave your car running while parked on the driveway. If you need to warm up the engine, consider moving the car away from sensitive plants first. Plant hardier varieties near driveways Some plants are more resistant to pollution. Hardy shrubs like boxwood, juniper, and some types of grasses can handle more exposure to exhaust fumes than delicate flowers. Create a green barrier Installing a low hedge or a row of hardy bushes between the driveway and your main garden area can help block and filter harmful fumes before they reach more sensitive plants.
The Sun
29-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
I'm a gardening expert – the hidden danger in your driveway that could be silently killing your plants
WHEN it comes to keeping your garden green and healthy, most of us think about watering, soil quality, and sunlight. But there's a hidden danger that could be harming your plants without you even realising — and it's sitting right on your driveway. Motoring experts at Show Plates World are warning that the very place you park your car could be putting your garden at risk. This is because exhaust fumes from idling vehicles release harmful chemicals that can settle on nearby plants - damaging leaves, stunting growth, and even slowly killing them. The good news is that with a few easy changes, you can protect your plants and still enjoy a thriving driveway garden. Sophie Willoughby, a garden expert and RHS-trained horticulturalist, shared her experience with Show Plates World. 'A few years ago, I planted a beautiful bed of lavender and rosemary near my driveway,' she recalled. 'They started looking sickly and yellow within a few months, and nothing I did helped.' It wasn't until Sophie moved her car to the street for a few weeks — and saw the plants begin to recover — that she realised the exhaust fumes were to blame. 'Now, I always advise gardeners to be mindful of what they plant near driveways and think about how much car activity happens there,' Sophie said. 'A little change can save a lot of heartache.' But you don't have to leave your driveway empty to protect your plants. Alan Titchmarsh's 'easiest' tip will fix bald patches on your lawn in two minutes flat this spring & no it's not seeding Instead, a few smart moves can protect your green space while keeping your car parked safely. A spokesperson from Show Plates World says: "Most people think about car damage or driveway wear and tear — but few realise how much their vehicle can impact their garden. "By taking small steps like limiting idle time and choosing the right plants, drivers can enjoy a beautiful, healthy outdoor space without sacrificing convenience. 'Your garden is part of your home's first impression. "Keeping it vibrant and pollution-free doesn't just look good — it also creates a healthier environment for your family and your community.' Here are three tips every driver with a garden should know... 2 Avoid idling your car near plants Try not to leave your car running while parked on the driveway. If you need to warm up the engine, consider moving the car away from sensitive plants first. Plant hardier varieties near driveways Some plants are more resistant to pollution. Hardy shrubs like boxwood, juniper, and some types of grasses can handle more exposure to exhaust fumes than delicate flowers. Create a green barrier Installing a low hedge or a row of hardy bushes between the driveway and your main garden area can help block and filter harmful fumes before they reach more sensitive plants.
The Irish Sun
29-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
I'm a gardening expert – the hidden danger in your driveway that could be silently killing your plants
WHEN it comes to keeping your garden green and healthy, most of us think about watering, soil quality, and sunlight. But there's a hidden danger that could be harming your plants without you even realising — and it's sitting right on your driveway. 2 A hidden danger in your driveway could be silently killing your plants Credit: Alamy Motoring experts at This is because exhaust fumes from idling vehicles release harmful chemicals that can settle on nearby plants - damaging leaves, stunting growth, and even slowly killing them. The good news is that with a few easy changes, you can protect your plants and still enjoy a thriving driveway garden. Sophie Willoughby, a garden expert and RHS-trained horticulturalist, shared her experience with Show Plates World. 'A few years ago, I planted a beautiful bed of lavender and rosemary near my driveway,' she recalled. 'They started looking sickly and yellow within a few months, and nothing I did helped.' It wasn't until Sophie moved her car to the street for a few weeks — and saw the plants begin to recover — that she realised the exhaust fumes were to blame. 'Now, I always advise gardeners to be mindful of what they plant near driveways and think about how much car activity happens there,' Sophie said. Most read in Fabulous 'A little change can save a lot of heartache.' But you don't have to leave your driveway empty to protect your plants. Alan Titchmarsh's 'easiest' tip will fix bald patches on your lawn in two minutes flat this spring & no it's not seeding Instead, a few smart moves can protect your green space while keeping your car parked safely. A spokesperson from Show Plates World says: "Most people think about car damage or driveway wear and tear — but few realise how much their vehicle can impact their garden. "By taking small steps like limiting idle time and choosing the right plants, drivers can enjoy a beautiful, healthy outdoor space without sacrificing convenience. 'Your garden is part of your home's first impression. "Keeping it vibrant and pollution-free doesn't just look good — it also creates a healthier environment for your family and your community.' Here are three tips every driver with a garden should know... 2 Exhaust fumes from your car can poison plants Credit: Getty Avoid idling your car near plants Try not to leave your car running while parked on the driveway. If you need to warm up the engine, consider moving the car away from sensitive plants first. Plant hardier varieties near driveways Some plants are more resistant to pollution. Read more on the Irish Sun Hardy shrubs like boxwood, juniper, and some types of grasses can handle more exposure to exhaust fumes than delicate flowers. Create a green barrier Installing a low hedge or a row of hardy bushes between the driveway and your main garden area can help block and filter harmful fumes before they reach more sensitive plants.
