Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Nigel Owens a true inspiration
Referee-turned-farmer a Dairy-Tech highlight, writes Wiltshire dairy farmer Ro Collingborn
AS we drove up to the spring dairy show Dairy-Tech, I couldn’t help noticing how all the roadsides were lit up by the copious flowers of the dandelion. If it was a garden plant, it would be highly prized, as the yellow flowers are brightly attractive. They are also welcomed by many insects, especially bees and ladybirds.
Wondering why the roadsides look so colourful this year with the dandelions, daisies, wild forget-me-nots, cowslips, primroses and other wildflowers, it occurred to me it’s probably because they are being left to grow wild, rather than being scalped by councils’ lawnmowing teams.
I am all in favour of a cut later on in the season, when all the plants have flowered, and the birds finished the flush of nesting, but not now. In France the dandelion is known as ‘dent-de-lion’ which means tooth of the lion due to its serrated leaves. It’s also called ‘pis-en-lit’ (in bed) as dandelion tea and wine can have a diuretic effect (increasing urine function).
As well as being an attractive flower at a time when many others have yet to blossom, dandelions are said to be highly nutritious plants, full of vitamins A,C K and E. The green leaves contain iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium. They are also a rich source of beta carotene and polyphenol compounds, both of which may neutralise harmful free radicals and protect against chronic disease. Dandelions may also reduce inflammation, reduce blood sugar and protect against liver damage, though further research is needed for a scientific assessment. Some caution is needed as side-effects could cause allergic reactions and interact with certain medicines.
Dandelion leaves, stems and flowers are often eaten raw, while the dried root can be used as a substitute for tea or coffee. It’s said to increase the friendly bacteria in your gut, reduce constipation and boost your immune system. Altogether it’s a wonderful plant; should it really be
a weed? After much musing on dandelions and enjoying the earlymorning drive through the greening countryside, we arrived at DairyTech only to find it was already very well attended with full car parks, and farmers keen to get out in public after two years of Covid.
As its name suggests, the event was set up to showcase the best in new technical innovations for the dairy industry. As well as the tradestands, there were two hubs, dairy and business with a range of speakers throughout the day. The keynote speaker was Nigel Owens, the famous rugby referee, who had come to speak about his battles with mental health and his interest in farming.
Before this talk, I knew little of Nigel’s earlier struggles in life. He was born in a very Welsh, conventional farming village. At first he did well at school and passed the 11-plus, only to find himself in a huge school of 1,200 pupils where he knew no one, and it wasn’t long before his life was made miserable by a vicious bully, though the bullying eventually stopped when a friend intervened.
After school, Nigel was never able to really settle and his unhappiness led to overeating, and slight as he is, his weight expanded to 17 stone. He became bulimic, losing seven stone in the process. This was followed by the use of steroids which he hoped would build up his frame, but his unhappiness and sense of being out of place only grew. He greatly regrets leaving his parents a note saying “This is the last time you will ever see me” and taking a shotgun, pills and a bottle of whisky to the mountain. He was only found by a heat-seeking device when his body had started to cool, and had only 20 minutes left to live. Recovering in hospital with his mother sitting at the foot of the bed, his life was changed by the simple sentence: “Nigel, if you do that again, take us with you, as your father and I don’t want to live without you.”
He realised that he must accept his sexuality, that he was indeed gay. This made all the difference; once he had accepted who he was, he was able to move on and deal with other issues.
It wasn’t easy; he said it was harder than refereeing the 2015 Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham between Australia and New Zealand which was “massive”, but now he felt he could move forward. And move forward he did, to become a top international referee, respected by all, and a public speaker with his own TV programmes. Last but not least, he is establishing a fine new herd of pedigree Hereford cattle.
The world has changed, like a spinning top, from the time the talented playwright Oscar Wilde was imprisoned for his love of Lord Arthur Douglas and the brilliant mathematician Alan Turing of codebreaking Bletchley Park fame was forced to endure chemical castration rather than face imprisonment. He died in 1954 after eating an apple laced with cyanide at the age of 41.
Homosexuality, “the love that does not speak its name”, was illegal until 1967 and it’s never been easy “coming out”, declaring yourself to be different, to be gay. But how much harder if you live in a Welsh farming area where rugby is key and manliness the goal.
So Nigel Owens was very brave to speak to a bunch of farmers about his trials in early life, rather than focusing on his Herefords, and what he said was very moving. It was the highlight of the day for me.
Nigel Owens was very brave to speak to a bunch of farmers about his trials in early life ... and what he said was very moving. It was the highlight of the day for me Picture: T Alun Jones
Ro Collingborn has been dairy chairman of the Women’s Food and Farming Union, on the Milk Development Council, the Veterinary Products Committee, the RSPCA Council and was a Wiltshire Wildlife Trust Director.