I really didn't enjoy last night's programme. If I'd known it was going to be a 'This is your life' look at me ! I wouldn't have wasted an hour of my life. Sorry, but personal view.
I thought it was a really lovely episode, and a very personal one. I thought it was really brave of her to be so open about herself as a person, her history, her current life events etc. I have always liked Frances a lot, but this felt like a very brave and exposing approach, for which I have even more respect for her. Aware this sounds a bit gushing - it's not meant to be too OTT, but just recognition. A really good episode in such a different vein to the rest of the series!
I didn't mind the biography part, altho no other presenter has had to set out their credentials that way, but I did feel a lot of time was wasted wandering about the moors and not gardening. It's great too have a young presenter and a botanist to boot but she'll need to pull up her socks to maintain my interest - or maybe it's just the production team getting the wrong end of the stick again.
Once again far more useful info in less time on Beechgrove and that includes skipping past the houseplant section as I have plenty and don't want any more.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
I was also somewhat lukewarm about it. I have no issue with her as a presenter - she’s excellent - but I agree that the travelogue and driving around sections seemed like padding. If she is to be a lead presenter I guess it will have to be in tandem with someone else because, as we learned, both her garden and her allotment are small. Given that filming will only be possible from certain directions to get the correct light and ensure the privacy of her house and private spaces, the area open to viewers will be constrained even more.
I enjoyed, but if she were to take over permanently, but as has been said, I expect I would become quickly bored, if most of the show was based around her garden.
How can you lie there and think of England When you don't even know who's in the team
That too - but then I started watching in the era of GW with Geoff H at the helm, presenting from his own land which he deliberately bought to divide up into garden sized plots so he could show different styles, shapes and aspects for all sort of soing, planting, tending and pruning throughout the year.
I've never understood using Monty's garden as the location means his garden can be weeks behind many areas and he has all those high claustrophobic hedges and no lawn to speak of so utterly the opposite of most UK gardens, whatever their size. Thank goodness he's abandoning banans and also for the other presenters and all the visits to excellent gardens and gardeners.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
I really enjoyed it. I think it would appeal to more people if Frances took over. Her garden is much closer in size to the average garden. I think it worked well her and Toby presenting. I didn't mind the dartmoor section either, Frances Was trying to link gardening and nature and I have no problem with that.
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Once again far more useful info in less time on Beechgrove and that includes skipping past the houseplant section as I have plenty and don't want any more.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
I've never understood using Monty's garden as the location means his garden can be weeks behind many areas and he has all those high claustrophobic hedges and no lawn to speak of so utterly the opposite of most UK gardens, whatever their size. Thank goodness he's abandoning banans and also for the other presenters and all the visits to excellent gardens and gardeners.