Gardener's World to move?

[piskieinboots]

My Sis (LJM) just PM'd me with this little nugget.

Toby Buckland was on this morning's BBC 'Breakfast' show talking about the new series of Gardeners' World, and he said that they are leaving Berryfields and starting afresh with a greenfield site.

It should be fascinating - perhaps just what we have been waiting for. Even so, I shall miss beautiful Berryfields. I hope they take Alys with them

Anyone else heard any more?

[sharonr]

Is Berryfields where Monty lives?

[Glutton4...]

Moving? Already! Seems like they've only been there a couple of years!

[LizyDrippin]

They moved to Berryfields when Monty took over (I think) because he didn't want to use his own garden, as the previous hosts had done

I missed some of the interview, liked the bit where he opened the raspberry canes and covered the floor with compost

If I remember rightly Alys works for Berryfield, so she might not be moving with them

I like the idea of a greenfield site

Looking forward to the new series

[ailsasyl]

Hi
Googled for more information, so here you go!
BBC - Press Office - BBC Two's Gardeners' World uproots to new location

Sylvia
XX

[Paulottie]

It is quite normal for GW to create gardens at different sites dating back to Geoff Hamilton...infact I think Alan T was the exception.

I also saw Toby Buckland on Breakfast...what a hamfisted twit he is...GW would be better to get a new presenter than a new site.

[Gryfon]

Do you think they'd want to come and use my garden

[smallblueplanet]

I also saw Toby Buckland on Breakfast...what a hamfisted twit he is...

In your opinion.

In my opinion Toby is great, he's friendly, knowledgeable and approachable. Like all presenters fronting a long-standing show he'll need time to make his own mark.

[nelliegemini]

Didn't AT use his own garden, and then moved house when he left the programme?

I think it's a great idea to start from scratch, will also help with anyone who has the 'back garden left by the builders', ie a square of lawn and no idea what to do with it.

Glad to see emphasis on vegetable growing and recycling bits - glad Alys and Carole still with the programme. Toby seems a natural and I can manage with Joe once a week ..... And a meadow to help the butterflies and bees.

Seems a win win to me.

[Jardiniere]

A greenfield site?
I've got a brown field ......

[piskieinboots]

In your opinion.

In my opinion Toby is great, he's friendly, knowledgeable and approachable.

Totally agree SBP - I have a lot of time for Toby, I believe he was a good choice and when the next presenter comes along (some) people will be saying 'oh but (s)he isn't as good as Toby'

[miffy]

I think it is good they are going to look at urban gardening and gardening in smaller plots, not every one has a huge expanse of earth to plant in and hopefully it will encourage and attract people to garden more in towns an cities. That in turn might halt gardens being sold off for development, at least it is a hope.

[lainey lou]

I like Toby too he's full of useful tips and comes accross as natural and friendly, just a regular kind of bloke. Glad we're keeping Carole and Alys. Could manage without Joe though.

[Paulottie]

In your opinion.

In my opinion Toby is great, he's friendly, knowledgeable and approachable. Like all presenters fronting a long-standing show he'll need time to make his own mark.

As I don't know the man personally I am unable to comment on his friendliness or indeed if he is approachable. However Knowledge is not a matter of opinion. I have not seen him impart one piece of useful information, and he certainly doesn't speak with the authority of some one who really knows their subject from years of experiance (like Alan or Geoff). And on practical demonstrations he is risable.

He may have had an allotment and worked on a tacky, make-over, quick fix, go to the garden centre show.... but I barely think that qualifies you for anything...they might as well ask Charlie Dimmock. theres enough of the vacuous shows and presenters already...Why should GW be dumbed down to the lowest common denominator?

Apart from the episode on 'Breakfast' the other day. Where a real gardener
would always have a knife in his pocket (eg Monty). He rips open this bag of raspberry canes spraying compost everywhere...and so its a bare rooted cane Toby...nothing to say on the subject at all.

Another example...planting tulips in aquatic basket...Old trick seen Rachel de T and AT do it... filling the basket 1/2 full grit and compost...placing bulbs in and filling up with topsoil from the border. Toby tries to pass this off as his top original tip and puts a great clod of earth from the border into overflowing basket and then proceeds to try and ram the tulips into the claggy clay. All the dexterity of a donkey with boxing gloves on.

Perhaps he is easy on the eye for the ladies but I seriously doubt he has the charisma or gravitas to front a team and keep the horticulturally more aware tuning into what was afterall, an institution. Shame I think.

[miffy]

I just miss Monty, i loved him to bits, he just had 'it' for me and i love to read his articles and books too, he has a real passion for gardening in all its forms and that came across. Toby for me seems to be just reading the script there is no passion in him.