On 08/12/2010 14:34, Spider wrote:
On 08/12/2010 11:26, Derek wrote:
On Wed, 08 Dec 2010 09:03:47 +0000,
wrote:


I for one liked Toby and Alys, what worries me is that we get back
'the long border' who today has a 'long border' we now have smaller
plots and so containers and patios are more relevant.
www.lincolnfuchsiasociety.info


Excuse me, but I have a border. It's not as big or as grand as I'd like
it to be and it's due an overhaul, but it *is* a border with a 'hot,
fiery' end working towards a 'cooler' end. I enjoy very much seeing
other gardeners create borders and long, broad beds for that matter. I
believe that sort of planting is still relevant and still enjoyed. It
teaches us about plants, using plants and colour and form; knowledge
which can be applied to smaller projects with a little creative thought.
I hope Monty does continue to plant a border, as well as fruit and veg
and all the other things.

Personally (although I like and respect Monty), I liked Toby's approach
and teaching manner. He made me want to watch the programme again. Alys
was also good and enthusiastic *and* complemented Toby's style well.

I never really took to him that much. Alys was OK and seemed very
knowledgeable when she was given the chance to show it.

Carol's knowledge and enthusiasm is always good value, so the three made
a good team.

I found her breathless enthusiasm and ludicrous scarves irritating.
Alys did a better job of demonstrating various techniques.

Rachel dT is a lot prettier than either but I don't see her as much of a
gardener.

I believe that the "30min construction" slot was created to give we
gardeners a taste of that longed-for "cheap build-it slot" that Geoff
Hamilton always did so well and somehow made relevant. It's a shame it
misfired.

Definitely. There was a herb garden idea based on a rocky spiral that I
though was actually quite inspired, but the rest were tedious.

I am sorry they're shortening the programme, though. With so many
different specialities and diversifications within gardening, a longer
programme would make more sense ... or perhaps these specialities could
make extra programmes. I won't hold my breath though.

They will be modelling it on the BigBrother, X-Factor or Celebrity Come
Dancing next with a phone to decide who goes or stays

Regards,
Martin Brown

In message
, Dave
Hill writes
On Dec 8, 4:15*pm, Chris J Dixon wrote:
Dave Hill wrote:
Which is why turning an old football pitch into a garden was just
plain "Daft"

I wonder what the exercise cost, and what is to become of it now.

Chris
--
Chris J Dixon *Nottingham UK


Have dancing shoes, will ceilidh.

I wonder if Toby Buckland could do a series on how to convert a garden
into a football pitch?

Cruel :-))

--
Gopher .... I know my place!

"Pam Moore" wrote in message
...

I'm delighted to have Monty back but I feel very sorry for TB who had
ddone a god job. The most recent programmes weresuch a great
improvement on what we had from Toby to start with. I was not
inspired by Alys, but neither am I inspired by Rachel de T. I hope
Toby gets a break with a new job to use his skills.


I would probably not expect you to be inspired by Rachel - it is perhaps the
male viewers
who gain the most inspiration. (:-)

Regards
That uncouth Pete again
www.thecanalshop.com

In message , Pete
writes


"Pam Moore" wrote in message
.. .

I'm delighted to have Monty back but I feel very sorry for TB who had
ddone a god job. The most recent programmes weresuch a great
improvement on what we had from Toby to start with. I was not
inspired by Alys, but neither am I inspired by Rachel de T. I hope
Toby gets a break with a new job to use his skills.


I would probably not expect you to be inspired by Rachel - it is
perhaps the male viewers
who gain the most inspiration. (:-)

Regards
That uncouth Pete again
www.thecanalshop.com

Not necessarily....... Alys has hidden depths, I'm sure :-))
--
Gopher .... I know my place!

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!

--

Jeff

On Wed, 08 Dec 2010 01:46:25 -0800, Dave Hill wrote:

What a shame, no more of Alice in wander land. But why bring in Rachel
de Thame, she is almost as bad.

Should've gone to Specsavers.

Jeff Layman wrote:
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!

Might possibly be nothing to do with that, but everything to do with the
loss in viewing figures over the past 2 years

On 08/12/2010 16:52, Martin Brown wrote:
On 08/12/2010 14:34, Spider wrote:
On 08/12/2010 11:26, Derek wrote:
On Wed, 08 Dec 2010 09:03:47 +0000,
wrote:


I for one liked Toby and Alys, what worries me is that we get back
'the long border' who today has a 'long border' we now have smaller
plots and so containers and patios are more relevant.
www.lincolnfuchsiasociety.info


Excuse me, but I have a border. It's not as big or as grand as I'd like
it to be and it's due an overhaul, but it *is* a border with a 'hot,
fiery' end working towards a 'cooler' end. I enjoy very much seeing
other gardeners create borders and long, broad beds for that matter. I
believe that sort of planting is still relevant and still enjoyed. It
teaches us about plants, using plants and colour and form; knowledge
which can be applied to smaller projects with a little creative thought.
I hope Monty does continue to plant a border, as well as fruit and veg
and all the other things.

Personally (although I like and respect Monty), I liked Toby's approach
and teaching manner. He made me want to watch the programme again. Alys
was also good and enthusiastic *and* complemented Toby's style well.

I never really took to him that much. Alys was OK and seemed very
knowledgeable when she was given the chance to show it.

Carol's knowledge and enthusiasm is always good value, so the three made
a good team.

I found her breathless enthusiasm and ludicrous scarves irritating.
Alys did a better job of demonstrating various techniques.


I know what you mean about Carol, but she's a good, hands-on
knowledgeable gardener. Not so many of those around these days. I can
easily put up with her enthusiastic manner. At least it's natural and
not the forced bon homie that comes with many other presenters.



Rachel dT is a lot prettier than either but I don't see her as much of a
gardener.


Each of the ladies is attractive in their own way, but it's their
gardening we're interested in. I suspect they're all reasonable
gardeners but, I agree, it doesn't come across so well with RdeT.



I believe that the "30min construction" slot was created to give we
gardeners a taste of that longed-for "cheap build-it slot" that Geoff
Hamilton always did so well and somehow made relevant. It's a shame it
misfired.

Definitely. There was a herb garden idea based on a rocky spiral that I
though was actually quite inspired, but the rest were tedious.


Oh yes, I love that part of the garden. That was one of St. Geoff's
strong points: he showed us many different planting styles and
manageable building projects and also much smaller constructions (cold
frames, etc.). I was frequently inspired by things he did and, at the
end of the programme, I just wanted to rush outside and start gardening.

I am sorry they're shortening the programme, though. With so many
different specialities and diversifications within gardening, a longer
programme would make more sense ... or perhaps these specialities could
make extra programmes. I won't hold my breath though.

They will be modelling it on the BigBrother, X-Factor or Celebrity Come
Dancing next with a phone to decide who goes or stays


What an horrendous thought! Oh, don't give them ideas like that. That
really would make me switch off :~[

Regards,
Martin Brown


--
Spider
from high ground in SE London
gardening on clay

On 08/12/2010 15:13, Pam Moore wrote:
On Wed, 08 Dec 2010 09:03:47 +0000,
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.

From todays Telegraph

I'm delighted to have Monty back but I feel very sorry for TB who had
ddone a god job. The most recent programmes weresuch a great
improvement on what we had from Toby to start with. I was not
inspired by Alys, but neither am I inspired by Rachel de T. I hope
Toby gets a break with a new job to use his skills.

Pam in Bristol


I agree heartily, Pam. I think Toby was seriously hindered by the
producers. I've seen him present very good gardening programmes before,
or even brief slots in another's programme. He has a lovely, easy
manner (which I could watch all day) and actually seems ill at ease with
the false joshing, although it's clear he has a good sense of humour.
He should be allowed to blossom in his own right.

It took me a while to appreciate Alys, but I think she's a very able
presenter and seems to know her stuff. thus far. Call me strange, but I
actually like observing her as a human being. She's charming. (No, I'm
not a stalker!)

--
Spider
from high ground in SE London
gardening on clay

On 08/12/2010 17:20, Jeff Layman wrote:
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!


Good for him! I dislike chemicals, but occasionally am obliged to be
grateful for glyphosate, sulphur and a drop of systemic insecticide when
all else fails, as are many gardeners I know, even the ones who like to
be green-ish. If some gardeners are still using chemicals, it's
important that a good garden presenter tells us what's available and
also the most responsible way of using it. Toby did that. It makes the
programme more balanced.


Probably made the organic-biased BBC producers apoplectic....

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



--
Spider
from high ground in SE London
gardening on clay

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.

--

Jeff

In article , Derek
writes
Alys Fowler, another Gardeners' World regular, is also leaving the
programme, the BBC announced.


Thank Goodness, Too bohemian for me, living off salad leaves and flowers
I'm not surprised though.
--
Janet Tweedy
Dalmatian Telegraph
http://www.lancedal.demon.co.uk

In article , Martin
writes
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.


It will be most annoying for poor Toby who i think is actually a good
gardener but not allowed to be by the BBC and anyone who has power in
the programming set ups.
They'll probably change the format a bit which means he wont now be able
to show us how good he could be,
A bit like poor Christine Walden who is destined to be eccentric on most
programmes but given a freehand (which they never are) can't show the
public her knowledge and skills in a normal manner.
Don't think it was Toby's fault, just the producer and director.
--
Janet Tweedy
Dalmatian Telegraph
http://www.lancedal.demon.co.uk

The proof will be in the viewing figures which for the last few weeks of this years show were around 1.9 million.
Agreed that it was probably not Toby's fault, but I suspect that he's not strong enough to stand up to the director/producer, any one know if they're being changed?

In message , Spider
writes
On 08/12/2010 15:05, Pete wrote:


"Spider" wrote in message
...

sic

I am sorry they're shortening the programme, though. With so many
different specialities and diversifications within gardening, a longer
programme would make more sense ... or perhaps these specialities
could make extra programmes. I won't hold my breath though.
--

I assume that the shortening is to a half hour - if so, agreed far too
short.
Only soaps should be so confined !

Forty-five minutes would be a fair compromise

Regards
Pete
www.thecanalshop.com



Agreed! But I'd prefer longer *and* a bit later in the evening so I
don't have to drag myself in from the garden (while there's still good
light)to see it.

In the days of new fangled things like Video tape recorders, as well a
SKY +, PVR's, iplayer etc. The idea of having to drag yourself in to
watch at a certain time seems rather quaint.

I don't we really watch much Tv at it's broadcast time anymore

--
Chris French