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Joanne Timperley pens debut children’s book
Spring clean

After repeatedly discovering sunflower seeds missing from her pots,
Joanne Timperley, a keen gardener from Wardle, has written her
first children’s book. your

Entitled ‘Who Stole My In a happy ending, the 8ft medicine
Seeds?’ the real-life sunflower grows into the
experience has been turned tallest anyone has ever seen,
into an exciting ‘whodunnit’ creating hundreds of sunflower cupboard
tale for children. seeds for all the garden
creatures to feast on – and
Joanne said: “Every morning produce a host of giant
I came outside, and one pot sunflowers the next year. The top-to-bottom tidy up of the home once
would be tipped over with spring comes along remains an enduring part of
seeds missing. I watched to Avid sunflower grower Joanne the British calendar.
see who was taking the seeds added: “I love the finished ABOUT THE WRITER
Dr Chauhan OBE is a respected GP, health and social
and became aware of all these product, which is designed to But in amongst the decluttering and perhaps care campaigner, and champion of social justice and
creatures visiting my share with young children as a the painting and redecorating, how many of us charity. As a local GP, he has become a powerful
advocate for his patients and introduced innovative
sunflowers. I ended up moving bedtime read. remember to spring clean our medicine cabinet. methods to improve their care. His work mentoring
my plants from my patio to a ‘Who Stole My Seeds?’ and employing young people has won national
table at the end of the garden.” “They really get drawn into the From my experience of home visits, almost every recognition and he was awarded an OBE in 2020 for
his creation of the Homeless-Friendly charity.
drama of saving the last seed as Mrs Greenfingers was puzzled house has one, which is good news. But when
Beautifully illustrated by the the story unfolds and it grows – who, or what, kept eating the was the last time you checked to see what’s in it? It may be tempting to give left over medication
sunflower seeds when she wasn’t
award-winning children’s from a small seedling into an looking? Come with her to find
book illustrator Sarah-Leigh 8ft giant sunflower.” out. For accidents, your box should contain plasters, to another family member, given long queues at
Wills, ‘Who Stole My Seeds?’ antiseptics, bandages, sterile dressings and some surgeries and, of course, having to watch
your loved one suffer. However, like buying
recounts how the very last Joanne will be signing copies Was it the cheeky robin, or the medical tape, to help create a temporary splint
sunflower seed was saved of her book at the All-in-One big blackbird? Maybe it was her should you suffer a serious cut. I keep eyewash in medicines online, using old pills and potions or
not following your doctor’s instructions on when
from the attentions of Garden Centre, Castleton, on friend the squirrel, or the there too to help shift dirt or foreign bodies from
various hungry garden Sunday 15 March. hedgehog who visited her garden the eyes. and how to take your medicine is incredibly
visitors, including a each night. Or something else? dangerous. It is truly like playing Russian
Roulette with your health, so don’t do it. Instead
squirrel, hedgehog, blackbird ‘Who Stole My Seeds?’ is Pain relief such as aspirin, ibuprofen and
and robin. published by Pegasus Elliott She sets out to solve the mystery paracetamol help soothe the agony of cuts and go to www.nhs.uk and search for ‘why do
medicines have expiry dates’ and learn how to
– and to protect her last seed!
Mackenzie Publishers.
aches and pains. Antihistamine is always dispose of unused prescribed medications safely.
advisable, especially as we are approaching high
Joanne’s top tips for growing sunflowers season for pollen. Anti-diarrhoea and oral For many of us, spring is a time of renewed
rehydration salts are available at pharmacies. optimism where we get outside and exercise

“A spectacular summer sight, sunflowers really The latter is an easy way to help restore your (particularly if we have let those New Year’s
do grow to over 8ft tall! Despite their size, they body’s natural balance of minerals and fluid, and Resolutions to slim down slip).
are the easiest of plants to grow – as long as aid your recovery.
you protect them from garden visitors. Those with hay fever or otherwise prone to
Speaking of pharmacies, they are a great place pollen and dust allergies, may not share that

Sunflowers have got to be the easiest and to gain advice on what medications you need enthusiasm but by following NHS advice, they
most gratifying seed to plant. You literally just to stockpile. These items could reduce pain, aid should be able to manage their conditions and be
fill a pot with soil, plant the seed, keep it well recovery and in the case of a wound, prevent active outdoors.
watered and watch it grow. I repot them when infection setting in. That’s how vital they are to
they grow four leaves. The bigger the pot, the have at hand. The days are getting longer and the
stronger the roots and the taller the flower. It temperatures warmer, so let us put a spring in
really is that simple!” Conversely, spring is the time to rid your home our step and with a few precautions, enjoy good
of unused and out-of-date medications. health this season.
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