I've just read a comment by Peter Seabrook that GW figures are now 1.5
million but used to be 4.5 million when A Titchmarsh did it.
--

Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon
www.helpforheroes.org.uk

On 29/09/2013 12:39, Martin wrote:
On Sun, 29 Sep 2013 12:16:20 +0100, Sacha
wrote:

I've just read a comment by Peter Seabrook that GW figures are now 1.5
million but used to be 4.5 million when A Titchmarsh did it.

If they counted the viewers who sleep through GW the figure would be
far less than 1.5 million.



I suspect you mean *discounted*, but I know what you mean ;~).
I quite enjoy watching it, but don't often feel I've learned much,
except perhaps in veg growing.

--
Spider.
On high ground in SE London
gardening on heavy clay

On 2013-09-29 13:41:01 +0100, Jake said:

On Sun, 29 Sep 2013 12:16:20 +0100, Sacha
wrote:

I've just read a comment by Peter Seabrook that GW figures are now 1.5
million but used to be 4.5 million when A Titchmarsh did it.

According to BARB, the 13/9 programme drew 2.03m. I think PS means
that they fluctuate week by week and have been as low as 1.5m. IIRC,
the fluctuation is between 2.5 and 1.5m.

Whilst it's a fact that viewing figures have reduced since the death
of Geoff Hamilton, I doubt that presenter/format changes alone have
caused the reduction from the 4.5m figure. TV delivery has changed
substantially in the intervening period and viewing habits have
changed substantially as a result.

The group has discussed the whys and why nots of watching GW many
times. Whilst I fall into the nots group, I worry that PS's repeated
criticisms will lead not to improvement but to its demise; after all
programmes with figures higher than GW have been cancelled before now.

I think what he's hoping to get is what he considers to be better
presentation. Just recently in the trade press, there was a new
brouhaha about MD not having visited a garden centre in 11 years, which
is hardly helpful to the industry which, at least partially, causes him
to be employed. I can only assume that if he plants some new in his own
garden, one of his assistants is sent off to buy it. It does seem a
very peculiar - even arrogant - stance for a gardening authority figure.
http://www.hortweek.com/Retail/artic...pt-falls-flat/

--

Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon
www.helpforheroes.org.uk

In article ,
says...

On 2013-09-29 13:41:01 +0100, Jake said:

On Sun, 29 Sep 2013 12:16:20 +0100, Sacha

According to BARB, the 13/9 programme drew 2.03m. I think PS means
that they fluctuate week by week and have been as low as 1.5m. IIRC,
the fluctuation is between 2.5 and 1.5m.

Whilst it's a fact that viewing figures have reduced since the death
of Geoff Hamilton, I doubt that presenter/format changes alone have
caused the reduction from the 4.5m figure. TV delivery has changed
substantially in the intervening period and viewing habits have
changed substantially as a result.

Exactly.

The group has discussed the whys and why nots of watching GW many
times. Whilst I fall into the nots group, I worry that PS's repeated
criticisms will lead not to improvement but to its demise; after all
programmes with figures higher than GW have been cancelled before now.

I think what he's hoping to get is what he considers to be better
presentation. Just recently in the trade press, there was a new
brouhaha about MD not having visited a garden centre in 11 years, which
is hardly helpful to the industry which, at least partially, causes him
to be employed.

Nonsense. He is employed by the BBC as a TV presenter; not, to tout
for business for garden centres and horticultural trades. The BBC is not
a commercial broadcaster, does not sell advertising time, so there is NO
sense in which any BBC presenter owes their employment to the
horticultural trade.

I can only assume that if he plants some new in his own
garden, one of his assistants is sent off to buy it.

Well that is hilarious, given how often you have loudly insisted that
your husbands nursery business is NOT to be confused with a garden
centre.

A garden the size of MD's calls for bulk buying and planting, and
nobody in their senses buys in dozens or scores at Garden Centre prices.
Instead,owners of large gardens buy stock direct from trade growers and
producers, which is more economical, better quality; and, they can
specify the size they want.

It's barely months, since Garden Centres were blaming MD for a slump
in their spring trade. Why? Because, during a cold spring he rightly
advised viewers not to rush to sow or plant tender stuff outside before
April.

Janet.

On 2013-09-29 15:56:31 +0100, Janet said:

In article ,
says...

On 2013-09-29 13:41:01 +0100, Jake said:

On Sun, 29 Sep 2013 12:16:20 +0100, Sacha

According to BARB, the 13/9 programme drew 2.03m. I think PS means
that they fluctuate week by week and have been as low as 1.5m. IIRC,
the fluctuation is between 2.5 and 1.5m.

Whilst it's a fact that viewing figures have reduced since the death
of Geoff Hamilton, I doubt that presenter/format changes alone have
caused the reduction from the 4.5m figure. TV delivery has changed
substantially in the intervening period and viewing habits have
changed substantially as a result.

Exactly.

The group has discussed the whys and why nots of watching GW many
times. Whilst I fall into the nots group, I worry that PS's repeated
criticisms will lead not to improvement but to its demise; after all
programmes with figures higher than GW have been cancelled before now.

I think what he's hoping to get is what he considers to be better
presentation. Just recently in the trade press, there was a new
brouhaha about MD not having visited a garden centre in 11 years, which
is hardly helpful to the industry which, at least partially, causes him
to be employed.

Nonsense. He is employed by the BBC as a TV presenter; not, to tout
for business for garden centres and horticultural trades. The BBC is not
a commercial broadcaster, does not sell advertising time, so there is NO
sense in which any BBC presenter owes their employment to the
horticultural trade.

Without the horticultural trade, the plants they breed, the plants they
sell and the plants they propagate, there would be no gardeners, no GW
and no job for gardening presenters. I certainly agree it is not GW's
job to promote particular plants or garden centre in a "let's push this
because old so and so has a couple of thousand he can't shift" but half
the point of a gardening programme is to tell the public of new plant
introductions, which plants can be used where and which varieties are
particularly successful in certain soils, locations or even parts of
the country. The frustration on here when plant names aren't shown is
more than obvious!


I can only assume that if he plants some new in his own
garden, one of his assistants is sent off to buy it.

Well that is hilarious, given how often you have loudly insisted that
your husbands nursery business is NOT to be confused with a garden
centre.

A garden the size of MD's calls for bulk buying and planting, and
nobody in their senses buys in dozens or scores at Garden Centre prices.
Instead,owners of large gardens buy stock direct from trade growers and
producers, which is more economical, better quality; and, they can
specify the size they want.

His garden is only about 2 acres, apparently, and other than hedging or
an orchard, there is no call for 'bulk buying', especially as he's such
a proponent of propagation. Nobody is likely to see him plant 48
Hostas or 60 Hydrangeas, bought-in. He has said himself that in the
early 90s he spent £1300 on 1400 trees and hedging plants at a tree
sale. He said that he only got them at such a good price because it was
a pouring wet day and few people turned out or stayed home to watch the
Grand National.

It's barely months, since Garden Centres were blaming MD for a slump
in their spring trade. Why? Because, during a cold spring he rightly
advised viewers not to rush to sow or plant tender stuff outside before
April.

Janet.

He didn't say 'tender stuff'. The DT report was that he said "You
don't have to sow anything at all until April". "ANYTHING AT ALL".
That advice allegedly cost the trade thousands of pounds and whatever
your personal opinion may be, it caused a terrific row at the time.
Trees and shrubs could have been planted, seeds and roses could have
been planted. We were telling people not to plant tender stuff! Any
nursery or gc worth its salt should do that until the danger of frost
has passed, though I've seen gcs pushing bedding plants in February and
would be adamantly opposed to such a practice. His remarks allegedly
did a great deal of harm. It's important that someone being viewed as
an expert by tv viewers gives solid facts.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening...g-flowers.html

In the past, he has told GW that people can't grow Hedychiums outdoors
in UK, which is simply not the case. It's a great shame you don't
follow Twitter and see what some of the professionals on 'shouty half
hour' have to say at times!

Whatever anyone's opinion of him as a presenter, he could and should at
least learn about the trade that keeps him in a job and it is
ridiculous - even disgraceful - that he hasn't been to a garden centre
in 10 years. How can he possibly be up to date with what is going on
in the trade that earns him a living? Imo, it is a shame he has
refused to meet Mr Burks and discuss the matter and insisting on an
apology (for what?) gives the appearance of arrogance. One of the
chief criticisms of the programme is that it is slanted in one
direction only and that is his own personal creed. It is not showing
enough of the very broad range of plants and activities open to the
average gardener.

The people who actually grow plants for a living say that he gave bad
information. I agree with the comments of some but not of others. I do
not agree GW should have links with plants available in garden centres
so that 'hard to sell' plants get a puff. That's using GW as a free
advertising channel and would be wrong, imo.

--

Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon
www.helpforheroes.org.uk

On 29/09/2013 14:40, Sacha wrote:
On 2013-09-29 13:41:01 +0100, Jake said:

On Sun, 29 Sep 2013 12:16:20 +0100, Sacha
wrote:

I've just read a comment by Peter Seabrook that GW figures are now 1.5
million but used to be 4.5 million when A Titchmarsh did it.

According to BARB, the 13/9 programme drew 2.03m. I think PS means
that they fluctuate week by week and have been as low as 1.5m. IIRC,
the fluctuation is between 2.5 and 1.5m.

Whilst it's a fact that viewing figures have reduced since the death
of Geoff Hamilton, I doubt that presenter/format changes alone have
caused the reduction from the 4.5m figure. TV delivery has changed
substantially in the intervening period and viewing habits have
changed substantially as a result.

The group has discussed the whys and why nots of watching GW many
times. Whilst I fall into the nots group, I worry that PS's repeated
criticisms will lead not to improvement but to its demise; after all
programmes with figures higher than GW have been cancelled before now.

I think what he's hoping to get is what he considers to be better
presentation. Just recently in the trade press, there was a new
brouhaha about MD not having visited a garden centre in 11 years, which
is hardly helpful to the industry which, at least partially, causes him
to be employed. I can only assume that if he plants some new in his own
garden, one of his assistants is sent off to buy it. It does seem a very
peculiar - even arrogant - stance for a gardening authority figure.
http://www.hortweek.com/Retail/artic...pt-falls-flat/

--

Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon
www.helpforheroes.org.uk

Good for him.
I do seem to recall some nursery visits by others on the programme,
I don't remember anyone moaning about none of the presenters of cooking
programmes not visiting Tesco or other supermarkets.
With so many plants of all sizes being bought on line there could be a
complaint that he isn't seen browsing websites for plants.
He does do some spots of raising from seed, division or cuttings.
I notice there is no moaning about the Gardening coverage on commercial
channels.
Remember when GW had millions of viewers each week we had 3 channels not
the multiplicity that we now have, if you have satellite then well over
50 to choose from.
David @ a brighter but not sunny Swansea bay

On Sun, 29 Sep 2013 17:27:27 +0100, David Hill wrote:

I don't remember anyone moaning about none of the presenters of cooking
programmes not visiting Tesco or other supermarkets.

Isn't Mr Oliver involved with advertising for Sainsbury's? And some
of the others with other food chains/suppliers?

I notice there is no moaning about the Gardening coverage on commercial
channels.

Is there any?

Remember when GW had millions of viewers each week we had 3 channels not
the multiplicity that we now have, if you have satellite then well over
50 to choose from.

And nothing worth watching on any of them, most of the time.

--
Cheers
Dave.

In article ,
says...

On 2013-09-29 15:56:31 +0100, Janet said:

In article ,
says...

On 2013-09-29 13:41:01 +0100, Jake said:

On Sun, 29 Sep 2013 12:16:20 +0100, Sacha

According to BARB, the 13/9 programme drew 2.03m. I think PS means
that they fluctuate week by week and have been as low as 1.5m. IIRC,
the fluctuation is between 2.5 and 1.5m.

Whilst it's a fact that viewing figures have reduced since the death
of Geoff Hamilton, I doubt that presenter/format changes alone have
caused the reduction from the 4.5m figure. TV delivery has changed
substantially in the intervening period and viewing habits have
changed substantially as a result.

Exactly.

The group has discussed the whys and why nots of watching GW many
times. Whilst I fall into the nots group, I worry that PS's repeated
criticisms will lead not to improvement but to its demise; after all
programmes with figures higher than GW have been cancelled before now.

I think what he's hoping to get is what he considers to be better
presentation. Just recently in the trade press, there was a new
brouhaha about MD not having visited a garden centre in 11 years, which
is hardly helpful to the industry which, at least partially, causes him
to be employed.

Nonsense. He is employed by the BBC as a TV presenter; not, to tout
for business for garden centres and horticultural trades. The BBC is not
a commercial broadcaster, does not sell advertising time, so there is NO
sense in which any BBC presenter owes their employment to the
horticultural trade.

Without the horticultural trade, the plants they breed, the plants they
sell and the plants they propagate, there would be no gardeners, no GW
and no job for gardening presenters.


The complaint was, he said he hadn't been to a garden centre for 11
years; GC's are only one part of the horticultural trade.
He did not say, he has not been to a nursery or bought stock from a
grower/ producer. In the past several weeks, you have mentioned buying
irises and daylilies online from nurseries and growers.You could not
have bought those selections of plants from a gardencentre,
and you are still, supporting horticultural trades.

What makes you think, other gardeners, especially those with a large
garden or keen interest, including MD, don't do the same thing, to get
the variety they want, in the quantity they want?

There would be no garden centres without growers/producers to supply
them. But there have been gardens and gardeners, for centuries, long
before commercial "horticultural trades "started selling plants. With no
gardencentres, we would buy online and by post, and of course propagate
share and swap plants among themselves, just as gardeners did long
before garden centres ever existed.

As for your imagined threat to TV garden programs, I might point out,
that television also pre-dates garden centres, and the demand for TV
programming is not dictated solely by shopping opportunities. Historical
programs seem pretty popular despite the small number of viewers who buy
a Spitfire or a horsedrawn carriage.

Janet.

In article o.uk,
says...

On Sun, 29 Sep 2013 17:27:27 +0100, David Hill wrote:

I don't remember anyone moaning about none of the presenters of cooking
programmes not visiting Tesco or other supermarkets.

Isn't Mr Oliver involved with advertising for Sainsbury's? And some
of the others with other food chains/suppliers?

Presenters don't advertise named supermarkets during BBC cookery
programs.

I notice there is no moaning about the Gardening coverage on commercial
channels.

Is there any?

ITV has Alan Titchmarsh doing garden makeovers.

nuff said.

Janet.

On 29/09/2013 18:20, Dave Liquorice wrote:
On Sun, 29 Sep 2013 17:27:27 +0100, David Hill wrote:

I don't remember anyone moaning about none of the presenters of cooking
programmes not visiting Tesco or other supermarkets.

Isn't Mr Oliver involved with advertising for Sainsbury's? And some
of the others with other food chains/suppliers?

I notice there is no moaning about the Gardening coverage on commercial
channels.

Is there any?

Remember when GW had millions of viewers each week we had 3 channels not
the multiplicity that we now have, if you have satellite then well over
50 to choose from.

And nothing worth watching on any of them, most of the time.

Yes Mr Oliver is involved in Sainsburys adverts and Mr Titchmarch lends
his name to B&Q gardening, not to mention a certain female TV
personality with her own on-line gardening enterprise

On 29/09/2013 21:40, Jake wrote:
Percy Thrower was sacked for less! He didn't promote anything during a
GW programme.

Actually NO
The BBC summarily dropped Thrower when in 1975 he agreed to a contract
with Plant Protection, a subsidiary of ICI, for a series of commercials.
He did this in the full knowledge of what the repercussions would be
with the BBC, and later said it was the best contract he ever signed.

On 29/09/2013 22:21, Jake wrote:
On Sun, 29 Sep 2013 22:02:51 +0100, David Hill
wrote:

On 29/09/2013 21:40, Jake wrote:
Percy Thrower was sacked for less! He didn't promote anything during a
GW programme.

Actually NO
The BBC summarily dropped Thrower when in 1975 he agreed to a contract
with Plant Protection, a subsidiary of ICI, for a series of commercials.
He did this in the full knowledge of what the repercussions would be
with the BBC, and later said it was the best contract he ever signed.

Actually YES.Percy didn't promote anything during a GW programme. As
you said, he was sacked for adverts (which the Beeb did not/does not
carry).

OTOH, MD promotes the dictats of the Soil Association. Remember that
GW is a factual programme. Please refer to my original post and ask
yourself whether MD's statement was factual.

Plus FWIW, there is a "knock-down" lily beetle spray on the market
which is organic. It's called "Plant Invigorator". You don't need
Provado Ultimate Bug Killer (which, incidentally, is NOT covered by
the EU "prohibition").

MD ignored two alternatives to squishing. Hence HE LIED! Simple.

He also lost a valuable opportunity to educate people about the need
to use pesticides correctly. But then people in blinkers often do!


Are the viewing figures accurate? Maybe monitoring 5000 homes isn't a
big enough sample

On 2013-09-29 17:27:27 +0100, David Hill said:

On 29/09/2013 14:40, Sacha wrote:
On 2013-09-29 13:41:01 +0100, Jake said:

On Sun, 29 Sep 2013 12:16:20 +0100, Sacha
wrote:

I've just read a comment by Peter Seabrook that GW figures are now 1.5
million but used to be 4.5 million when A Titchmarsh did it.

According to BARB, the 13/9 programme drew 2.03m. I think PS means
that they fluctuate week by week and have been as low as 1.5m. IIRC,
the fluctuation is between 2.5 and 1.5m.

Whilst it's a fact that viewing figures have reduced since the death
of Geoff Hamilton, I doubt that presenter/format changes alone have
caused the reduction from the 4.5m figure. TV delivery has changed
substantially in the intervening period and viewing habits have
changed substantially as a result.

The group has discussed the whys and why nots of watching GW many
times. Whilst I fall into the nots group, I worry that PS's repeated
criticisms will lead not to improvement but to its demise; after all
programmes with figures higher than GW have been cancelled before now.

I think what he's hoping to get is what he considers to be better
presentation. Just recently in the trade press, there was a new
brouhaha about MD not having visited a garden centre in 11 years, which
is hardly helpful to the industry which, at least partially, causes him
to be employed. I can only assume that if he plants some new in his own
garden, one of his assistants is sent off to buy it. It does seem a very
peculiar - even arrogant - stance for a gardening authority figure.
http://www.hortweek.com/Retail/artic...pt-falls-flat/


--

Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon
www.helpforheroes.org.uk

Good for him.
I do seem to recall some nursery visits by others on the programme,
I don't remember anyone moaning about none of the presenters of cooking
programmes not visiting Tesco or other supermarkets.
With so many plants of all sizes being bought on line there could be a
complaint that he isn't seen browsing websites for plants.
He does do some spots of raising from seed, division or cuttings.
I notice there is no moaning about the Gardening coverage on commercial
channels.
Remember when GW had millions of viewers each week we had 3 channels
not the multiplicity that we now have, if you have satellite then well
over 50 to choose from.
David @ a brighter but not sunny Swansea bay

Surely there were more than three channels in the AT presenting days?
But I think there's a misunderstanding here. As far as I know, nobody
is saying that there should be *televised* visits to garden centres or
nurseries but that he, personally, in his private life doesn't go to
them. I'm certainly not supporting any idea that GW should be doing
some kind of "under the counter" advertising for any establishment,
though some of the makeover programmes show people buying plants in
garden centres. I don't remember any names being shown though. And tv
cooks will surely have visited supermarkets or other food suppliers in
their private time, or how can they know who's presenting/selling the
best ingredients. The same applies (imo) to a tv garden presenter who
apparently doesn't know what gcs or nurseries are currently doing.
--

Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon
www.helpforheroes.org.uk

On Mon, 30 Sep 2013 10:11:35 +0100, Sacha
wrote:

On 2013-09-29 17:27:27 +0100, David Hill said:

On 29/09/2013 14:40, Sacha wrote:
On 2013-09-29 13:41:01 +0100, Jake said:

On Sun, 29 Sep 2013 12:16:20 +0100, Sacha
wrote:

I've just read a comment by Peter Seabrook that GW figures are now 1.5
million but used to be 4.5 million when A Titchmarsh did it.

According to BARB, the 13/9 programme drew 2.03m. I think PS means
that they fluctuate week by week and have been as low as 1.5m. IIRC,
the fluctuation is between 2.5 and 1.5m.

Whilst it's a fact that viewing figures have reduced since the death
of Geoff Hamilton, I doubt that presenter/format changes alone have
caused the reduction from the 4.5m figure. TV delivery has changed
substantially in the intervening period and viewing habits have
changed substantially as a result.

The group has discussed the whys and why nots of watching GW many
times. Whilst I fall into the nots group, I worry that PS's repeated
criticisms will lead not to improvement but to its demise; after all
programmes with figures higher than GW have been cancelled before now.

I think what he's hoping to get is what he considers to be better
presentation. Just recently in the trade press, there was a new
brouhaha about MD not having visited a garden centre in 11 years, which
is hardly helpful to the industry which, at least partially, causes him
to be employed. I can only assume that if he plants some new in his own
garden, one of his assistants is sent off to buy it. It does seem a very
peculiar - even arrogant - stance for a gardening authority figure.
http://www.hortweek.com/Retail/artic...pt-falls-flat/


--

Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon
www.helpforheroes.org.uk

Good for him.
I do seem to recall some nursery visits by others on the programme,
I don't remember anyone moaning about none of the presenters of cooking
programmes not visiting Tesco or other supermarkets.
With so many plants of all sizes being bought on line there could be a
complaint that he isn't seen browsing websites for plants.
He does do some spots of raising from seed, division or cuttings.
I notice there is no moaning about the Gardening coverage on commercial
channels.
Remember when GW had millions of viewers each week we had 3 channels
not the multiplicity that we now have, if you have satellite then well
over 50 to choose from.
David @ a brighter but not sunny Swansea bay

Surely there were more than three channels in the AT presenting days?
But I think there's a misunderstanding here. As far as I know, nobody
is saying that there should be *televised* visits to garden centres or
nurseries but that he, personally, in his private life doesn't go to
them. I'm certainly not supporting any idea that GW should be doing
some kind of "under the counter" advertising for any establishment,
though some of the makeover programmes show people buying plants in
garden centres. I don't remember any names being shown though. And tv
cooks will surely have visited supermarkets or other food suppliers in
their private time, or how can they know who's presenting/selling the
best ingredients. The same applies (imo) to a tv garden presenter who
apparently doesn't know what gcs or nurseries are currently doing.

I've not followed all this thread, but if I were a TV gardening
*celebrity* and went to a garden centre I'd be pounced on by customers
with gardening queries and I'd never get out. You can't blame him!

Pam in Bristol

On 2013-09-30 13:42:06 +0100, Pam Moore said:

On Mon, 30 Sep 2013 10:11:35 +0100, Sacha
wrote:

On 2013-09-29 17:27:27 +0100, David Hill said:

On 29/09/2013 14:40, Sacha wrote:
On 2013-09-29 13:41:01 +0100, Jake said:

On Sun, 29 Sep 2013 12:16:20 +0100, Sacha
wrote:

I've just read a comment by Peter Seabrook that GW figures are now 1.5
million but used to be 4.5 million when A Titchmarsh did it.

According to BARB, the 13/9 programme drew 2.03m. I think PS means
that they fluctuate week by week and have been as low as 1.5m. IIRC,
the fluctuation is between 2.5 and 1.5m.

Whilst it's a fact that viewing figures have reduced since the death
of Geoff Hamilton, I doubt that presenter/format changes alone have
caused the reduction from the 4.5m figure. TV delivery has changed
substantially in the intervening period and viewing habits have
changed substantially as a result.

The group has discussed the whys and why nots of watching GW many
times. Whilst I fall into the nots group, I worry that PS's repeated
criticisms will lead not to improvement but to its demise; after all
programmes with figures higher than GW have been cancelled before now.

I think what he's hoping to get is what he considers to be better
presentation. Just recently in the trade press, there was a new
brouhaha about MD not having visited a garden centre in 11 years, which
is hardly helpful to the industry which, at least partially, causes him
to be employed. I can only assume that if he plants some new in his own
garden, one of his assistants is sent off to buy it. It does seem a very
peculiar - even arrogant - stance for a gardening authority figure.
http://www.hortweek.com/Retail/artic...pt-falls-flat/



--

Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon
www.helpforheroes.org.uk

Good for him.
I do seem to recall some nursery visits by others on the programme,
I don't remember anyone moaning about none of the presenters of cooking
programmes not visiting Tesco or other supermarkets.
With so many plants of all sizes being bought on line there could be a
complaint that he isn't seen browsing websites for plants.
He does do some spots of raising from seed, division or cuttings.
I notice there is no moaning about the Gardening coverage on commercial
channels.
Remember when GW had millions of viewers each week we had 3 channels
not the multiplicity that we now have, if you have satellite then well
over 50 to choose from.
David @ a brighter but not sunny Swansea bay

Surely there were more than three channels in the AT presenting days?
But I think there's a misunderstanding here. As far as I know, nobody
is saying that there should be *televised* visits to garden centres or
nurseries but that he, personally, in his private life doesn't go to
them. I'm certainly not supporting any idea that GW should be doing
some kind of "under the counter" advertising for any establishment,
though some of the makeover programmes show people buying plants in
garden centres. I don't remember any names being shown though. And tv
cooks will surely have visited supermarkets or other food suppliers in
their private time, or how can they know who's presenting/selling the
best ingredients. The same applies (imo) to a tv garden presenter who
apparently doesn't know what gcs or nurseries are currently doing.

I've not followed all this thread, but if I were a TV gardening
*celebrity* and went to a garden centre I'd be pounced on by customers
with gardening queries and I'd never get out. You can't blame him!

Pam in Bristol

Well, my answers to that were our customers were thrilled to see both
Christine Walkden and Roy Lancaster here but they weren't pestered in
any way! And while I think your point is a good one, I daresay he
could arrange a private visit, if he wanted to. Don't forget that he
also told people not to go to garden centres or nurseries that use peat
because he hates the use of peat and described using it/selling
peat-based compost as 'greed'. That was lead balloon time with a lot
of those in the industry. He's President of the Soil Association which
explains his views on some matters but at the same time, using his
position to damage the trade of others with remarks like that is very
bad, imo and he was called on it by some in the industry that time, as
well. It is a bit of a crusade that he and e.g. Alys Fowler are on and
of course they're entitled to their views but I think many in
horticultural industries do wonder at his attitude to their work and
livelihood.
http://www.amateurgardening.com/home...-selling-peat/
As I've said before, we dislike the format of GW now but have greatly
enjoyed his 'gardens around the world' programmes.
--

Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon
www.helpforheroes.org.uk