I'm glad that Monty Don is better but not looking forward to him returning to Gardeners world. Both he and Rachel de thame are more suited to presenting programmes about gardens they visit than a programme meant to instruct us gardening enthusiasts. I have been gardening for over 40 years and still find the knowledge that Toby and Alys gave very useful. They are properly qualified gardeners - not just presenters who like gardening. Toby did a great job - along the lines of the great Geoff Hamilton. Most people aren't interested in Monty's opinions of plant colours etc - we want to know what type of soil they like and whether they tolerate shade etc. Move him to an "arty" type of gardening programme and bring back Monty to teach us the basics - please!
Seems to me that the one thing that the BBC can take from all these posts is that, THERE IS ROOM ON THE TV FOR MORE THAN ONE GARDENING PROGRAMME!!!!!!!! and one that starts late in the year, in garden preperation terms , is take off at the drop of a tennis match or some other programme, and concentrates on gardens of humungeous proportions. I realise that the BEEB doest earn money from gardening progs, but there is more to life than 'peeveeteevees'
I am what you might call an experienced and older gardener. When Monty Don took over Gardener's World, I stopped watching. I was lured back by Toby who has done a fantastic job. With the return of Monty Don, who I find totally uninteresting and dull, I will be switching off again. Give Toby his own gardening programme!
I've just read, in the new GW magazine, about Monty Don's 're-appointment'. I must admit that my first feelings are great sympathy for Toby and disappointment that the GW producers have not had the courage of their convictions, and are moving backward. I've watched GW for years, and felt that Toby was a worthy successor to Geoff Hamilton - even with some of the rather questionable projects that they were both so pleased with! Toby is down to earth, knowledgable and clear in his delivery - and I have learnt a great deal from him. Monty always apeared somewhat self-satisfied and his self appointed role as arbitor of taste grated. There are a couple of reasons, though, why I am quite excited by the change. The first is the return to filming in the presenter's garden. I have very much missed that, despite the flexibillity that Berryfields and Greenacre have allowed. There is a definite extra dimension with a garden that has a real connection for the presenter (as seen in the lovely series in Carol Klein's garden) -and I've enjoyed the guest appearance from various pets over the years. The other reason is that I've just finished reading Monty Don's book, the Ivington Diaries. Got it for Christmas. Despite slight ambivilence at the start I thought it was a wonderful book -beautifully written, self deprecating and suffused with his deep love of his garden. I finished it itching to get out into the garden myself -but also longing to see his garden. Well, I will now -though not quite as I'd hoped! I wish him, and GW, well -and I'm such an addict I don't suppose I'd switch off whatever happened. I do hope, though, that Toby (and Alys) realise what deep affection and respect there is for their work. Hope to see Toby back on screen very soon.
Dreary,dull,uninspiring, boring prima donna back again. Just got my GW magazine and have just cancelled the subscription. What a bl***y daft move. Toby and Alys were great. Loved their style but I will give it up now monty dumdum is back.
Groan, groan. It has been a long wet, cold winter and I looked forward to seeing the cheerful GW with Toby and Alys. Now I do not even have that and can not think why they have put monty back.He makes everything so dreary. I want to see colour and have enthusiastic and happy people gardening. Monty makes me want to hide away with his plodding veg, veg ,veg and dull colour schemes. Please put Alys and Toby back. I will miss them so much. I would rather miss Gw than watch Monty again.
Yes, MD returns and I go !!Typical kind of decision making within the BBC, more waste and missuse of our licence fee. Why not simply ask the viewing (and reading) audience PRIOR to this. The guy swears he would never return and he's back ???? Must be a case of reverse logic, ok, I'm ready for another go now, it's more convenient to me. So, get rid of genuinely qualified gardeners and make way for the well connected prima donna to return - the decision smells. Toby and Alys are up against the real world of social networking and can't win, as most of us have found out but some thing I can do is vote with my feet. I won't watch the spoilt brat and have also cancelled our subsciption to GW, at least it helps me feel a bit better !
I think its rubish that Toby is being replaced by Monty Don! I am a young gardener and am only 17 but have asperations to work in the gardening industry. Toby was an easy to understand, likeable person that kept things practical and simple. Monty Don is for old people and he is quite boring fimbling around in things that no normal, practicl gardener would! Toby and greenacre should have been continued and the BBC should be taking a step forwards and not backwards to satisafy the moaning elderly. This is a bad move and gardeners world will no longer be lively and intresting. Bad move!
Ok cc chip I am actually a moaning elderly but don't think we are all like that please.I only want to moan about them taking Toby away! I know lots about gardening but I learnt loads off Toby too and I loathe Monty too so don't put all the older gardeners down. Good luck with the garden career - wish I had done it.
Posts
and one that starts late in the year, in garden preperation terms
, is take off at the drop of a tennis match or some other programme, and concentrates on gardens of humungeous proportions.
I realise that the BEEB doest earn money from gardening progs, but there is more to life than 'peeveeteevees'
Sharon
Toby and greenacre should have been continued and the BBC should be taking a step forwards and not backwards to satisafy the moaning elderly. This is a bad move and gardeners world will no longer be lively and intresting.
Bad move!