Great news. I have only watched one Gardeners World since he left - it just wasn't the same without Monty. Also pleased to read that Rachel De Thame, Carol Klein and Joe Swift will be part of the team. Looking forward to the new series in March 2011 - watching the developments each week in Monty Don's own garden should prove to be very interesting.
I'm so pleased to hear Monty Don will be back presenting Gardeners's World. I never really watched regularly since he left and I can't wait to "be in" his garden every week. Welcome back Monty!
Monty is the best choice possible for Gardeners World,he is hands on and very good at conveying his knowledge to us amatuers, I cant wait for the new series to start, congratulations to Britians best gardener.
bring back toby buckland, my family enjoyed toby prsenting, we do not want the self-righteous monty don, he is only interested in his compost heap!! Why do the viewers not get a say in the choice?? I dont think we will be watching it in the new year.
I am glad to hear that Monty is well enough to return to Gardeners World, but I am sad to see Toby and Alys go. I liked Toby's gentle manner and practical ideas, and Alys's enthusiasm and energy. Where are they going?
I agree with many of the posts that GW hasn't been the same with Toby as the leed presenter. we sat down to watch each week but often talked over most of the progremme as it did not capture our attention. Monty's programmes did. Can't wait for spring.
To those of you who think that Toby might not have been axed, but left of his own accord here is what he has said on his official website. STATEMENT FROM TOBY - 9/12/2010 -
"I have put years into learning the craft of gardening and it has been an absolute honour to use my skills presenting Gardeners' World for the last three series. Having had the wonderful opportunity to meet so many of the nation's gardeners has only confirmed my belief that gardening is a broad church, something that is for everybody, regardless of how much land you have or how much money you earn. When all is said and done, I stand up for the ordinary gardener and I want to say thanks to so many of you for standing up for me."
Toby x
To those of you who don't think that he is as good as Monty, I would just let you know that In 2008 Toby won Gold and Best in show for his Ethical Garden at Gardeners' World Live. In 2009 he won the Environmental Award from the Garden Media Guild for a Gardeners' World Special on peat in gardening.
He is a very experienced gardener and as I have previously stated, I will not be watching GW next series. I do not like Monty's style of presenting and I much prefer Toby's practical presenting.
Wow I've just ploughed patiently through each of the comments before and it is very clear there are two very distinct camps . . not just MD or TB fans but experienced and beginners. I think it is very clear half-an-hour will never be long enough to please all, and the two very different presenting skills cannot cover all tastes either. I'm not happy about the return of Monty as I found his knowledge and advice dodgy and unconvincing and he openly admitted on Gardeners' World he hated gardening when he was younger. He also used the 'c' word on another programme and it was from that point on he lost my faith completely. I was, up until last year a manager of a plant area in a garden centre and now I am a lecturer in horticulture, two jobs that have given me a wide knowlege of the massive range in gardening abilities and what gardeners seek in terms of help. How about GW being one hour long, in quarter hour segments, one each devoted to beginners veg, beginners flowers, experienced veg and experienced flowers? If it sticks to the same timetable and uses appropriate presenters for each section viewers can dip in accordingly. Personally, and incommon with other longstanding gardeners who understand these things, we know that you will never know everything even if you live to be 1000 and there is always something to learn whatever you watch, real gardeners are not that fussy they just love all things garden related! My inspirational GW presenter was the sadly no-longer-with-us Geoff Hamilton, the next best being Chris Beardshaw. However, all gardeners should have something to offer as long as the viewer keeps an open mind? Also some of the postees have very selective memories as I believe I remember reading that the viewing figures for GW went down to less than 2 million the last time Monty was presenter.
what are the people at the BEEB doing you give us someone who talks our language then revert to Monty Don. Please dont let these fools mess with the magazine I could not stand it.
Posts
Why do the viewers not get a say in the choice?? I dont think we will be watching it in the new year.
STATEMENT FROM TOBY - 9/12/2010 -
"I have put years into learning the craft of gardening and it has been an absolute honour to use my skills presenting Gardeners' World for the last three series. Having had the wonderful opportunity to meet so many of the nation's gardeners has only confirmed my belief that gardening is a broad church, something that is for everybody, regardless of how much land you have or how much money you earn. When all is said and done, I stand up for the ordinary gardener and I want to say thanks to so many of you for standing up for me."
Toby x
To those of you who don't think that he is as good as Monty, I would just let you know that In 2008 Toby won Gold and Best in show for his Ethical Garden at Gardeners' World Live. In 2009 he won the Environmental Award from the Garden Media Guild for a Gardeners' World Special on peat in gardening.
He is a very experienced gardener and as I have previously stated, I will not be watching GW next series. I do not like Monty's style of presenting and I much prefer Toby's practical presenting.
Please dont let these fools mess with the magazine I could not stand it.