Good Luck to Toby, there seem to be so many negative comments, lets at least give him a chance. I hope Alys gets more air time as I think she is what the show sometimes lacks and that is a younger person.
Good luck Toby - looking forward to a refreshed Gardeners World autumn programme. All these negative comments must be very hard to take, maybe it is just too easy to tap out a quick blog entry delivering far harsher comments than one would have written in a more carefully thought-out letter.
There are countless keen devotees of GW out here - several in our office in fact, for whom the programme is a Friday night highlight after a busy week. Please pass on my regards to Monty and to all the presenters who are so committed to this programme. Like many, I trust that Alys will play an increasing role and I sincerely wish you well with what must be quite a daunting task. Now I am going to get outside and do some gardening myself!
Congratulations to Tony Buckland on becoming the front of Gardeners World, I like his ideas of using and reusing and the more enviromental approach - lets hope this does not change. I hope Carol and Joe continue contributing. One request thought remember gardens are getting smaller so lets have less of acres and acres and show more of what can be done with limited space and on a limited budget and within an eco framework.
Absolutely astounded that Carol Klein was (according to the Telegraph) not even considered for the position. Carol has been an absolute inspiration to me as a gardener. Thanks to her enthusiasm I now have raised beds full of veg and this year have been taking cuttings and collecting seeds. With the current economic climate her gardening ethos would be well suited. Appointing Toby smacks of both ageism and sexism. As a director of a small business I cannot get away with either (nor would contemplate either!) and yet the BBC seems to be able to do both, boldly in public. Shame on you!
Anyone inspired by Geoff is fine by me! At least he has horticultural qualifications and is not just a knowledgeable amateur. (Apologies to Monty/Carol if I'm wrong.) But I think we need to get back to basics - less visits to admire other gardens more 'what to do now' and smaller projects, we've not all got large areas to work on.
I entirely agree with Debbie (28 August). Give Toby Buckland a chance. Dear Geoff Hamilton inspired my interest in gardening and I thought no one could take his place but each of the presenters brings something different to the programme and I appreciate virtually all of their contributions, though I admit to missing Chris Beardshaw's contributions.
I also agree with the pleas to do away with the flashy camera angles!
Gardening is my passion,and I can't wait for the highlight of my week which is to sit down on a Friday night and watch Gardeners' World. I cried when Geoff sadly passed away. I accepted Alan - difficult task after Geoff. I cheered when Monty got the job, and will miss him enormously, but hope to see him fully recovered and contributing to other things as well as the GW magazine! Well done, Toby. It will be lovely to see you head this wonderful TEAM. It is not up to one individual to make the programme a success, it is every one of the presenters, the production team, etc, etc, etc. I even love to see Alys' dog trotting around. Can't wait for the start of the new series - roll on tomorrow evening!!
Very brave of the team to chose someone less prominent. I have seen Toby working on Garden Magic and find his ideas refreshing. Good luck and hope all the other possible presenters who are usually very busy will find him easy to work with and bring us a new look with the traditional information. Also hope Alys will still have a slot as I have enjoyed that too. Keep gining us good gardening assistance. Good luck to the team
Posts
There are countless keen devotees of GW out here - several in our office in fact, for whom the programme is a Friday night highlight after a busy week. Please pass on my regards to Monty and to all the presenters who are so committed to this programme. Like many, I trust that Alys will play an increasing role and I sincerely wish you well with what must be quite a daunting task. Now I am going to get outside and do some gardening myself!
Kind regards, Susan
I also agree with the pleas to do away with the flashy camera angles!
Well done, Toby. It will be lovely to see you head this wonderful TEAM. It is not up to one individual to make the programme a success, it is every one of the presenters, the production team, etc, etc, etc. I even love to see Alys' dog trotting around. Can't wait for the start of the new series - roll on tomorrow evening!!