I shall miss Alys. I liked her quirky but down to earth style. Never quite got into Toby's style however. I am pleased to hear Monty is returning to further the environmental side of gardening. It needs that support.
Would like to point out to all the people who have sent their comments in that Monty Don is NOT going back to Berryfields as some people seem to think. The Greenacre Garden will be scapped and the gardening team are setting up at Monty's OWN GARDEN. People should think about the cost which has been spent at GREENACRE and the cost again to do it at Monty's!!!
I think with all the moaning and groaning about poor Toby, he was actually winning the public, especially newbies like myself. I am sorry that my lack of gardening expertise is not good enough for the production team and therefore we must go back to the pomp and undecipherable world (to me)of what came before. That is what turned me off of gardening, but having started with Toby and following the development of Greenacre, I was really starting to enjoy my potterings. I really hope that the production team take a good hard look at themselves in the mirror and reflect on why we must return to Monty. Is it to save the show (that was not broken in my opinion)or is it to satisfy a noisy portion of the viewers whose vitriolic dislike of the show from Greenacre and help for new gardeners should exclude us from their exclusive club? I was incedulous when I heard the news, deeply saddened by the decision and hope that the BBC can accomodate the new gardener in some way, with Toby and Alys. In an age when lots of other programs dumb down to chase viewers, I really felt that the Beeb had got it right with Toby, pitching to the new gardener and having enough for the established gardener. I have previously supported the production team when they chose Toby, I cannot support them on this decision and I shall really miss Toby returning in the Spring. I may have to get rid of the old wood which is making an appearance after some rather extreme and unnecessary pruning.
Lovely news about Monty coming back to GW. Saw Monty at the GW exhibition when he was being interviewed and I thought at the time that he looked well, relaxed and having a good time. I hoped then that he might be coming back to GW. Sorry to hear that Toby & Alyss are leaving... but I missed Monty! Good to see that Rachael, Joe and the eternally enthusiastic Carol are staying. It'll be the 'A-Team' of the green-fingered variety back in town!! Yee-har buckaroos!!!
I have to disagree with a lot of the comments on here. Monty returning as lead presenter isn't a step backwards - it's restoring the show to how it should have been. Let's not forget that Monty left of his own accord so the change to Toby wasn't a planned one. I felt the show lacked a certain amount of passion after Monty left. With Toby and Alys at the helm, the show became like kids' TV (remember the "what's hot and what's not" board anyone?) and I absolutely hated the 30 minute challenges - gardening should never be against the clock. I must admit I stopped watching after a while - I just couldn't bear the staged banter between the presenters. Welcome back, Monty. I'm looking forward greatly to your return.
Posts
Would like to point out to all the people who have sent their comments in that Monty Don is NOT going back to Berryfields as some people seem to think. The Greenacre Garden will be scapped and the gardening team are setting up at Monty's OWN GARDEN. People should think about the cost which has been spent at GREENACRE and the cost again to do it at Monty's!!!
A very happy Head Gardener.
I THINK THIS IS A RETROGRADE STEP
Sorry to hear that Toby & Alyss are leaving... but I missed Monty!
Good to see that Rachael, Joe and the eternally enthusiastic Carol are staying. It'll be the 'A-Team' of the green-fingered variety back in town!! Yee-har buckaroos!!!
Welcome back, Monty. I'm looking forward greatly to your return.