CROPS MAKE KATE GRAB FOR TISSUES
October , 2002

Superstar Kate Winslet was worried when a farmer decided to plant oil seed rape next to her new Cotswold home.

The actress feared it could bring on a titanic bout of sneezing.

A farmer, who rents land from the actress and film director boyfriend Sam Mendes, had to wait a month for permission to sow the yellow flowered cereal on the farmland at Church Westcote, near Bourton-on-the-Water.

Rape seeds are blamed for being a cause of hay fever.

A farm worker said: "Apparently Miss Winslet's people were concerned that having rape growing so close to the house would effect her breathing.

"Planting time was coming up but the farmer had to wait a month before her agent said it would be OK.

"Some people do blame rape seeds and pollen for giving them hay fever and other allergies and apparently that was Kate's concern."

The farmer got the go-ahead as the couple are unlikely to be living in the £3.3 million mansion when the crop flowers.

The pair have planned a major refurbishment of the run-down building and may not move in for 18 months.

The agricultural worker said: "The rape field is part of 36 acres which has been planted now.

"We shall have to see whether any is allowed next year because she'll probably be living there by the time that comes into flower in 2004.

"We've seen Sam Mendes around here a few times since they bought the estate but not Kate so far."

Kate, 26, and Hollywood director Sam, 36, took on the rambling eight-bedroom house in July.

They bought the Cotswold stone home after its previous owner, wildlife artist Raoul Millais, died.

Source: This is Gloucestershire