Allotments 4 All

I do not think for a moment that ACE is not sympathetic about Montys stroke

He is like the rest of us entitled to his opinion about who fronts GW.

Unless there are any other applications then it is Ace and Eristic to liven up an extremely boring crass bit of TV.

I think you should add in Christine Whatshername and her neighbour Ron. ;D ;D ;D

It's Reg actually.Now don't you start on poor old Reg :)

Thanks Betula - it is Reg...... and I like him......he's the star of the show :D

And here are the results from the Camden Jury:

12 points go to.... Ace and Eristic

- and TIM!

(well, you've got to have a looker!)

I was very sad to hear about Monty's stroke and his departure from GW. I hope he makes a full recovery.

I cant say i am totaly surprised something like this has happened. I think the BBC have worked him far too hard in the last couple of years what with GW and all the travelling for the 80 Gardens series - a show someone else could easily have done instead. In the end something had to give.

I think many of you are rather harsh in your criticism of Monty's time on GW. I thought he was good for the show and most of the time i enjoyed watching him (although he could get a bit intense at times).

I have not actualy met him but have heard him give a talk at a flower show once and from what I saw then, on TV and his writing, do like him as a person, not least because I have suffered from depression and a mild form of SAD, so do understand that side of him at least.

I also recall from 'The Monty Don Project' TV series and admission that he beleives he might have a form of Autism/Aspergers (undiagnosed). This would explain some of his other personality traits, including the apparent aloofness in public (indicating difficulties with social interaction). This is something else I understand all too well.

As for GW itself I think it has greatly improved this year and think Carol is the natural sucessor to Monty. Her knowledge of plants, expereince and enthusiasm for gardening is exactly what you need for GW IMO. That said it would be great to see Mathew Wilson have a more regular slot on the programme. Somehow I dont think his work for the RHS would allow even this let alone become a salaried presenter.

Just read that Matthew Wilson is leaving Harlow Carr  :'( to become Head of Gardens Creative Development at RHS. I love what he's done at Harlow Carr so hope they get someone good to replace him.

I think Trixiebelle should do it. If she's had a bad week , the show would be one long rant, and if she's had a really bad weeks, she'd probably have to start shouting as soon as the title music starts to get it all in

My vote goes to Trixiebelle too. I think we should have a proper poll and let the BBC know which of our members we decide on.

DON'T GET ME STARTED isn't the greatest name for a gardening prog, but i'd watch it ;D

Very well put down in writing GA on Monty Don.  I agree with everything you said about Monty and I for one enjoyed him on GW.  He is nice to look at   ;D ;D 

I cannot look at Joe Swift now without thinking about his father.  His father being 'Richard Bucket'  poor down trodding husband of Hycanth.  He does look like his Father.   ;D

Richard, that was a wonderfull post about Monty Don, having read one of his books i understand the man more, you comments were very understanding thank you for that .

didn't Monty also have bone cancer as a child, and also more recently nearly die of peritonitis? Hearing him talking about SAD on the radio last year didn't give the impression that that was mild either

I also wish Monty a full and speedy recovery.

As to GW, you have to realise that the best gardener's are not necessarily good presenters. A presenter needs knowledge of the subject, a certain charisma, a way with people, a very sharp mind (to react when things go wrong and keep the program going). Last but not least, be attractive to the opposite sex and not repel the same sex.

How many of you could fill these criteria?

Quote from: Larkshall on May 26, 2008, 09:57:32
Last but not least, be attractive to the opposite sex and not repel the same sex.

How many of you could fill these criteria?

So we're all agreed on Tim then? Oh yeah, and Trixie?? Poor ACE... ;)

I liked GA's post, and thank you,  Richard, for reminding us of Monty Don's project with the young drug addicts...he did excellent work there which patently, to me, wasn't 'just' for the cameras..

I do hope that he recovers well from the 'silent killer' which can strike us all at any time.

EH????

You want me to take over from Monty on Gardener's World??!!!

I know f**k all about flowers and even less about 'borders'!

Give me a potato & a courgette & I'll keep you entertained for hours over half a shandy & a bag of crisps, but FLOWERS ....... oh no!

I'm very sorry to hear about Monty actually. One of my very best friends suffered a stroke when she was only 30 (the result of a chiropractor who was supposed to be curing her sore neck)

It really is a debilitating condition and I wish him well.

Well I wish him a good recovery!!

As for his aloofness.....I have often thought that he may have Aspergers....he has a lot of the traits that go with the condition.  That's not his fault....if anything he has done d**n well to get where he is and be so good at it! 

I wish him and his family well - they are the ones that he means most to and they are the ones who will get him through this.

as for GW????????  my money would be on Bob Flowerdew (what a wonderfaul name for a gardener!!!)....but I don't think the Beeb would want the show to come from a presenters own garden and I don't think you could prise Bob from his!!!  Part of the reason that they developed Berryfields was so that if they lose the presenter they don't lose the garden!!!!!

Personally I think Berryfields is an over sanitised garden - miles away from what we all have!  I would like to see more normal gardens and lots more on allotments.  But not the sanitised version that Joe Swift is offerring us - we never got to see it till it was all spruced up and ready for the cameras.

How about a few more guest presenters like some of us on here - proper gardeners with real problems....and bugs....and rain....and slugs etc etc ...

Get well soon Monty!

Louise
XX

gosh i hope he gets well soon but who are they going to get to replace him? I wonder if bob can pop back for a short time :)

Thank you for the positive response to my last post. Much appreciated.

On the subject of strokes i know all too well what they can do to people and that they can strike at any age really. A friend of the family was struck down by one at a younger age than Monty and has had at least 2 more that i know of since. He was a fit and active man (builder by trade) with a great personality. He is still mobile but now struggles with his speech and is partialy sighted. He also suffers mood swings, exagerated no doubt by frustration at his condition and not being able to do things. I have also known of people who have been left almost totaly paralysed by severe strokes.

I think Monty should in some ways be thankfull his was only a minor one, and has had the sense to stop and rest before a more severe one struck. Still even a minor stroke must be a horrible thing to happen to you.