|
Home > Newslist
Green living - an eye opener for Rob
Wednesday August 27th 2008. Posted: 09:30
A BT engineer and his family are now firm converts to green living and plan to ditch their old way of life.
Rob Smart, an external engineer for Openreach in south Wales, has his 15-year-old son to thank for his change of direction, after the youngster agreed to take part in a TV series to find the greenest family from four competitors. Luke Smart, a pupil at Ysgol Gyfin Rhydywaun in Hirwaun, was keen to put his family’s green credentials to the test, though dad Rob, mum Karen and 11-year-old sister Lauren were less impressed. “When Luke asked us to take part in the programme, Cwm Glo Cwm Gwyrdd for S4C, I felt we were far too busy to get involved, but he persisted and I’m glad we did. The whole thing was a real eye-opener,” Rob said. The series seeks to find out which is the greenest family from four teenagers, who were asked to take part when Cardiff-based company Green Bay approached the school. To become series champions, the four families had to slash their carbon footprint by changing the way they live - and not just at home. Every week they would be asked to spread the green word throughout the south Wales valleys. And each week one aspect of the families’ lives was assessed for environmental wrongdoing. They all faced a weekly challenge, depending on what they did, which was either good or detrimental to the environment. The families were given an “eco-pack” full of challenges, gadgets and advice to help them on the way, and a weekly prize was on offer. The programme’s presenter, Iolo Williams, acted as green detective and kept his eagle eye on the families, encouraging them or giving forfeits - to check on anyone who lagged behind or cheated! Iolo also had his own unique project during the series as well, by creating a community woodland space for the valleys, planted by the young people of the area. The programme goes out in the autumn, said Rob, when the winning family will be announced. Rob said before the series they were not big on recycling and felt they were too busy to give time to the project. “Once we started we got into the swing by planting and growing vegetables, switching off lights and using eco-friendly bulbs. We cut down on food waste and shopped locally. It was challenging but we’re glad Luke agreed to take part. We’re much more aware now,” he said. The family lives in Bedlinog, South Wales in a modern self-build house. All will be revealed at the end of the series when we find out if Rob’s family is the greenest one in town.
| 
Last updated:
15:56
