On 2010-12-09 08:26:55 +0000, Jeff Layman said:

On 08/12/2010 18:22, Sacha wrote:
On 2010-12-08 17:20:00 +0000, Jeff Layman said:

On 08/12/2010 09:03, Derek wrote:
Monty Don is returning to the helm of Gardeners' World, almost three
years after a stroke forced him to leave the show.

The 55-year-old will replace Toby Buckland, who was informed by BBC
bosses yesterday that his contract will not be renewed. Buckland was
said to be "devastated" by the decision.

Alys Fowler, another Gardeners' World regular, is also leaving the
programme, the BBC announced. Carol Klein and Joe Swift will return
for the new series alongside Rachel de Thame.

I guess Toby Buckland wasn't "politically correct" enough. On rare
occasions he actually mentioned use of chemicals! Probably made the
organic-biased BBC producers apoplectic....

None of that with Monty Don. The C-word will be banished!

I hope not. Everything has its place and not everyone either can, or
wants to, garden in a one-size fits all fashion.

I do agree. But if you read Don's gardening articles in Saturday's
Daily Mail Magazine, his mantra is "Chemicals should not be used".
That's it - no argument. And that is why I prefer Buckland to Don;
he's a lot more open minded.

Agreed. The BBC should not provide a platform for anyone's organic
mantra -- and if they are chasing viewing figures, they won't: organic
gardening is practised by around 10% of all gardeners in this country.
Monty Don should be doing nothing to change that.

His relative popularity (he never came close to AT or GH in viewing
numbers) is nothing to do with his organic mantra. What he has is a
firm grip on the proceedings, a good presentational style and an
excellent voice. What he lacks is horticultural qualifications --
hopefully he will make fewer howlers next time around than he did in
his last stint -- and balance.

I wish the amiable, well qualified and perfectly balanced Mr Buckland well.