Read this recently, which I think summed up the Toby Buckland era very well:
“Toby Buckland took over in 2009, and after a short-lived revamp of the show that used 60 minute-long episodes with added features which had been likened (amongst other things) to elements of programmes such as popular motoring show Top Gear (by featuring a 'cool wall') and CBeebies by virtue of featuring young children.”
Rather a shame I think, as I saw him as a victim of someone else's stupidity.
Presumably he is a fully grown man who could and should have relied on his own integrity and self respect as a gardener not to go along with all the stupidity. Having said that, he showed little respect ot the plants and tools he used either so he just saw it as a meal ticket.
What I most enjoyed about the GH ears was that he had purpose built plots desigend to show different styles of garden using different plants, materials and budgets so there was something for everyone and he communicated enthusiasm and can-do. AT was also a good communicator when he was the helm and I felt as tho I learned something new every week form their era ieven if I didn't necessarily have or want the plant or feature in my garden.
GW from Monty's garden is all too personal and idiosynchratic and not very inspiring for me even tho I have a large garden with a variety of aspects and soils and drainage. It must be so frustrating for people with small plots/little free time/ restricted budgets and probably no garden shed to hang or stash all the variety and quantity of paraphernalia Monty seems to need, let alone the greenhouses for storing the banana over winter..
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)."
Bring Toby back I leave. Hated the show when he was the presenter and having seen him on other garden programmes did not change my mind.
Presenters are at the mercy of the producers and researchers, AT once said he dug the same hole six times for the different camera angles, it cannot be easy.
There must be others out there who can present and Chris would be ideal, I love Carol though a whole programme may be more than I could take.
I have a lot of time for Chris Beardshaw too - he grows in stature with every tv appearance.
And as for Toby B's abysmal time at GW - we should thank our lucky stars that MD is a man of principle and didn't allow the producers to continue in their aim to turn GW into Top Gear Mk 2. He told them that he would do it his way or not at all and has stuck to his guns for which I am very thankful.
If anyone here watches the BBC programme Food & Drink they cannot fail to have noticed that the new series (fronted by Tom Kerridge - a chef I had a lot of respect for) has changed from a sensible, enjoyable and informative programme and is veering towards being a blokey laugh-a-minute 'life-style' programme just like Top Gear! That's what they wanted to do to GW before MD dug his heels in
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Yes, indeed, to principles but with some relevance added and, of course, to Mr Beardshaw. Lovely man, great gardener and designer and communicates both enthusiasm and his love of plants so well.
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)."
Posts
Read this recently, which I think summed up the Toby Buckland era very well:
“Toby Buckland took over in 2009, and after a short-lived revamp of the show that used 60 minute-long episodes with added features which had been likened (amongst other things) to elements of programmes such as popular motoring show Top Gear (by featuring a 'cool wall') and CBeebies by virtue of featuring young children.”
Rather a shame I think, as I saw him as a victim of someone else's stupidity.
Presumably he is a fully grown man who could and should have relied on his own integrity and self respect as a gardener not to go along with all the stupidity. Having said that, he showed little respect ot the plants and tools he used either so he just saw it as a meal ticket.
What I most enjoyed about the GH ears was that he had purpose built plots desigend to show different styles of garden using different plants, materials and budgets so there was something for everyone and he communicated enthusiasm and can-do. AT was also a good communicator when he was the helm and I felt as tho I learned something new every week form their era ieven if I didn't necessarily have or want the plant or feature in my garden.
GW from Monty's garden is all too personal and idiosynchratic and not very inspiring for me even tho I have a large garden with a variety of aspects and soils and drainage. It must be so frustrating for people with small plots/little free time/ restricted budgets and probably no garden shed to hang or stash all the variety and quantity of paraphernalia Monty seems to need, let alone the greenhouses for storing the banana over winter..
Bring Toby back I leave. Hated the show when he was the presenter and having seen him on other garden programmes did not change my mind.
Presenters are at the mercy of the producers and researchers, AT once said he dug the same hole six times for the different camera angles, it cannot be easy.
There must be others out there who can present and Chris would be ideal, I love Carol though a whole programme may be more than I could take.
Frank.
I have a lot of time for Chris Beardshaw too - he grows in stature with every tv appearance.
And as for Toby B's abysmal time at GW - we should thank our lucky stars that MD is a man of principle and didn't allow the producers to continue in their aim to turn GW into Top Gear Mk 2. He told them that he would do it his way or not at all and has stuck to his guns for which I am very thankful.
If anyone here watches the BBC programme Food & Drink they cannot fail to have noticed that the new series (fronted by Tom Kerridge - a chef I had a lot of respect for) has changed from a sensible, enjoyable and informative programme and is veering towards being a blokey laugh-a-minute 'life-style' programme just like Top Gear! That's what they wanted to do to GW before MD dug his heels in
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Yes, indeed, to principles but with some relevance added and, of course, to Mr Beardshaw. Lovely man, great gardener and designer and communicates both enthusiasm and his love of plants so well.
That is more or less the middle of the century so hardly surprising
It was Percy Thrower when I started - Monty is quite a newcomer for some of us
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.