TV and Radio permalink
Let's go wild tonight (Wednesday)
This discussion has been closed.
-
Message 1.Â
Posted by Aspidistra (U11680993) on Wednesday, 19th November 2008
Don't forget that tonight is the start of the new gardening programme on bbc1 at 8.30, hurrah!
So it's Little Dorrit at 8.00 followed by Little Beardshaw at 8.30pm
-
Message 2
Posted by greeneddy (U6603838) on Wednesday, 19th November 2008
Oh Dear Lord, it clashes with the England game!
-
Message 3
Posted by Amazing (U7102651) on Wednesday, 19th November 2008
Wonder if I could watch online?
-
Message 4
Posted by marypoppins1 (U2341113) on Wednesday, 19th November 2008
You can always watch it on Ö÷²¥´óÐãiPlayer for the next 7 days.
MP1 -
Message 5
Posted by Amazing (U7102651) on Wednesday, 19th November 2008
No Chris Beardshaw in Scotland. We have a prog about hospitals.
-
Message 6
Posted by greeneddy (U6603838) on Wednesday, 19th November 2008
Ah, that explains the onion marmalade.
-
Message 7
Posted by Aspidistra (U11680993) on Wednesday, 19th November 2008
So am I the only person in the world who watched it then? For those of you otherwise engaged, it really was a sort of updated Groundforce with a glaring ecological problem.
Doesn't doing stuff for wildlife also mean being ecologically sound in other ways? Why were they lugging in huge trees using motorized equipment when they could have just planted smaller trees?
It would be a better programme if it was just Chris Beardshaw doing the same thing quietly along with the girlie. What is the point of Nick Knowles in it, except to add a sort of street-cred Landan accent and a laddishness. Maybe they imagine the Groundforce audience will be awakened by a Tommy character and just carry on where he left off.
Surely also the we-only-have-2-hours-left and contrived problems are really beginning to look a bit dated now.
Sad to say, somewhat disappointing. Sorry Beeb, I wanted to like it, really I did. Why can't we have a proper, grown up programme about gardening for wildlife, slowly and thoughtfully? -
Message 8
Posted by greeneddy (U6603838) on Wednesday, 19th November 2008
Driven to the Board, as Germany have just equalized, and I can't stand the tension.
Have to say, I was a bit put off by the trailer shown by the Hosts, I did think it looked like another version of Ground Force. Will watch it on i-Plyer (who he?) later, though. -
Message 9
Posted by Sparky (U6716422) on Wednesday, 19th November 2008
Well it really was Groundforce revisited! They even took up the concrete and put down decking! Would have been nice to know a bit more about the plants and the whopping great trees they planted. An entertaining half hour - but not really gardening.
-
Message 10
Posted by Amazing (U7102651) on Wednesday, 19th November 2008
I'll try iplayer now and see if its on yet.
-
Message 11
Posted by hotsunlover (U5664870) on Wednesday, 19th November 2008
I thought it was quite entertaning but I don't think I would any sleep if I missed it. Its sort of easy going, mildy informative TV, good to watch while I was doing the wages for the pub down the road! I wish we had seen more of the planting, but find the lugging in of huge trees a bit distastful really - I wonder what the budget was for this garden? I agree with the earlier comment of using smaller trees. Having said all that, the lady was very pleased with the finished product and it did bring in more wildlife to her garden so it achieved what it set out to do.
I liked CB's easy going style, but suggest that the programme be filmed in future on a much hotter day.................I'll say no more but I know Gardenballet will feel the same
I wonder if he would like to do Strictly next year?
-
Message 12
Posted by hotsunlover (U5664870) on Wednesday, 19th November 2008
Sorry - I meant I don't think I would lose any sleep if I missed it
-
Message 13
Posted by Amazing (U7102651) on Wednesday, 19th November 2008
Hi Hottie. Tried to watch on iplayer but video keeps stopping. I'll try again later.
-
Message 14
Posted by hdehoon (U2175617) on Wednesday, 19th November 2008
I didn´t like it. It´s not a programm about gardening or wildlife, but of people talking.
-
Message 15
Posted by jennie-wren (U9422284) on Wednesday, 19th November 2008
Loved it, roll on next week.
Ok, not as green and enviromently frendly as they could have been, but who's got 10 years to wait for a tree to grow and I feel sure the plants and trees were sourced sensibly.
It was great to see the garden and wild life flood in within a few months.
Well done Auntie Beeb. -
Message 16
Posted by londonplantmad (U2392946) on Wednesday, 19th November 2008
It was an absolute ego trip for CB. How much did those tree specimens cost. As well as all the other plants and the digger. Sorry it was groundforce revisited and much worse. How many people could afford to recreate that. My garden is also a wild life garden that has taken 25 years to mature. Not a whim of instant creation.
-
Message 17
Posted by timhere (U3408128) on Wednesday, 19th November 2008
Oh dear! Not exactly informative was it? A kind of changing rooms/ground force/DIY SOS.
-
Message 18
Posted by Aspidistra (U11680993) on Wednesday, 19th November 2008
Although I agree with the rest of your comments, Londonplantmad, I think the above is a little harsh - I don't see what he did to deserve that comment. -
Message 19
Posted by vegslovingmonique (U12003276) on Wednesday, 19th November 2008
Hi,
Can someone please explain how to watch it on Ö÷²¥´óÐãiPlayer? Daft question maybe but I'm in Holland, someone knows if it works there too?
Thanks!
Mo. -
Message 20
Posted by Amazing (U7102651) on Wednesday, 19th November 2008
Can't watch outside the UK. Sorry.
-
Message 21
Posted by mavoman (U6670129) on Wednesday, 19th November 2008
on now down liverpool way asl
-
Message 22
Posted by Amazing (U7102651) on Wednesday, 19th November 2008
Just gong to watch with a glass of vino, thanks Mavoman.
-
Message 23
Posted by Amazing (U7102651) on Wednesday, 19th November 2008
I quite enjoyed the programme. Glad they went back to find out if it had worked. Not much else to say.
-
Message 24
Posted by determinedNewbie (U13704643) on Wednesday, 19th November 2008
I liked it! I don't normally watch gardening programmes as I find them a bit boring (sorry)but I have decided that I can do some of the stuff in the programme in my garden. I would like to see more birds and I did not think about them when I cut down the bushes & tree in our garden but I promise I will put some back!
-
Message 25
Posted by brightonjen (U4580756) on Wednesday, 19th November 2008
Kept expecting Charlie Dimmock et al to turn up. I thought garden makeover progs were old hat but you can't beat a nice bit of decking, can you??! It was fine as far as it went but not as a gardening programme - more a revised makeover format with a 21st century ecological spin. I don't think I'll bother again - I did think a clever gardener would not get dragged into something like this again. Did no-one learn anything from when Alan Titchmarsh decided to give it all up?
Will anyone at the Ö÷²¥´óÐã give gardeners anything intelligent, knowledgeable, informative & sensible ever again? I doubt it. Soundbite populism obviously rules. I'll buy the books recommended on Gardeners' Question Time & give up on the TV. If anyone wants to learn anything about gardening don't bother with the telly, listen to Gardeners' Question Time instead. Oh heck, I haven't just given it the kiss of death, have I? Have they noticed GQT yet? -
Message 26
Posted by Paul N (U6451125) on Thursday, 20th November 2008
Oh dear, it was as bad as I expected. Betty's garden was superbly 'made over' and I really liked the end result. But the irritating Nick Knowles with his Larndarn jokey commentary, the 'conflict' with the man who constructed the pergola, the tremendous cost of the semi-mature trees, the irritating jangly 'music', the litter picking, no it wasn't for me.
Anybody could create a garden like that by throwing money at it, and Betty could have done the same herself during the forty years she'd lived there. Nevertheless the end result was impressive, far, far more so than the actual programme. -
Message 27
Posted by copywrite (U3184365) on Thursday, 20th November 2008
I thought the above thread might give us pause for thought in relation to this new series- particularly rainonroses's opening comment.
I too believe the charming and delightful Nick Knowles was redundant on the show. Chris and his female co-presenter (not familiar with her name yet) covered the two themes of the series title 'Wild' and 'Garden' perfectly.
I was irked to note, 25 mins in, that most of the show had been about chats between the lads on how they get them there whoppin' great trees in with only that tiny gap between the owziz. Then a swift 10-second, fast-forward through the plants.
Sorry Beeb, but you squandered an opportunity with this programme. I bet the cutting room floor has some gems. Wasted. -
Message 28
Posted by AbbotsOrn (U8385541) on Thursday, 20th November 2008
This was absolutely awful. Not enough of CB and the female presenter and too much Nick Knowles. Nothing more than a garden make over programme, not enough about the plants and not enough info about wildlife.
I will be persevering with GW for a while longer, but I will not be watching this again. A missed opportunity - a great idea (wildlife gardens), but it would be good to have watched the programme and have been able to take one or two ideas away and implement them myself. -
Message 29
Posted by rainonroses (U10426712) on Thursday, 20th November 2008
Thanks, copywrite, have just re-read my own first post and yes, I am saddened beyond measure to have to say it all transfers seamlessly to this new programme.
I cannot understand how CB, who I have always respected as a designer and gardener, allowed himself to get mixed up in this awful programme. I was speechless (well, for a moment) when I saw the enormous trees being carted in on a huge lorry and a whole builders' yard of industrial digging equipment turning up to try to achieve what can easily be done with smaller plants, a fraction of the budget (daren't think what that was), a bit of ingenuity and a small dose of patience. It has shaken my faith in CB's integrity; and the way he stood giggling like a schoolboy with a walk-on part on the Nick Knowles show was just downright upsetting. I suppose the show is aimed at those who remark elsewhere on this board, "Who can wait ten years for a tree to grow?" but I can't even go there, or I may burst into tears. I just give up.
No I don't - as a PS, wonder what the lady will make of it, when the "wild animals" being gushed over by the blonde woman decide to move in under her decking and they turn out to be the brown rats she was so terrifed of? -
Message 30
Posted by blue-eyedBarnOwl (U13705044) on Thursday, 20th November 2008
We thought this programme was great fun and we hope it turns the tide on the trend for covering gardens in concrete. People need to think more about the environment and this was a great way to start changing ideas. We don't mind paying our licence fee for programmes like this!
-
Message 31
Posted by holidayjojo (U9985821) on Thursday, 20th November 2008
I was really looking forward to this program, especially as CB was in it but I just didn't know what to make of it. There was a lot of ideas but Nick has brought the DIY SOS Panto with him. I hope that it improves as there are so many interesting people who could contribute to the program.
We have lived in our house for five years and the garden was a blank canvas. We started with two small logs and gradually added two ponds, trees, plants etc with wildlife in mind. It is lovely sitting in the garden and thinking what else we could do, and hopefully this program will give us some ideas. -
Message 32
Posted by hypercharleyfarley (U7444019) on Thursday, 20th November 2008
Hello. Unlike some, I will be watching future programmes to see what else they can come up with. Now that we've had the "throw money and garden designers at it" mode, perhaps they'll come up with some simpler and less costly alternatives. Like Copperpaul, I did like the end result (apart from the decking!) but was alarmed at what seemed like very poor planning indeed - e.g. building the pergola before trying to get those huge trees in, and forgetting to order a skip so that the concrete didn't end up in a heap on the roadside. A bit like having new carpet laid before you do the re-decorating..... I must take issue, though, with people who criticise people's accents. It really doesn't matter, so long as you can understand what they're saying, does it? As far as the water voles go, if the people who are telling us that they're disappearing fast are as observant as those making the programme, it's perhaps not so surprising that they have come to those conclusions. I would have liked to have seen more mention made of where best to site bird feeders, and what foods to use to encourage more species into a garden.
Maybe they should re-name the programme "Ground Force Goes Green". Cheers! Ma. -
Message 33
Posted by Aspidistra (U11680993) on Thursday, 20th November 2008
Well I guess if it gives inspiration to determinednewbie (message 24) then on reflection, it is serving a purpose on some level for some viewers. If it only makes some people plant some trees and shrubs it is a start. And I did rather like the water voles, although I shiver at the 'wildlife' that decking encourages - usually rats, innit?
I agree with Copperpaul, too much Nick Knowles and not enough CB and the unbelievably photogenic whatsername.
I just remain disappointed that it is another dumbed-down programme. I bet a lot of good CB stuff is lying on the cutting room floor, as his knowledge far exceeds what we say.
I suppose, and I do hate to mention the Matters word, now he has betrayed his female fan base by marrying, but what we could do with is someone like Matthew Wilson doing a really in-depth mini-series on gardening for wildlife. -
Message 34
Posted by Aspidistra (U11680993) on Thursday, 20th November 2008
Sorry, the CB bit should read 'and his knowledge far exceeds what he was allowed to say'
(I really ought to use the preview button, but you know how it is, life is too short for previews...)
Who is the producer on this programme, btw? Couldn't read the credits. At least no silly camera stuff, hurrah! -
Message 35
Posted by Nanpickle (U8967581) on Thursday, 20th November 2008
I watched the programme with hopeful interest as the previous householders hade paved over our back garden, put up fences and concreted the front. We now have 2 ponds, loads of climbing plants to cover the fences, extended flower beds, have pots etc. and several bird feeders. I am pleased to say we have lots of birds, frogs, dragonflies, damselflies, hedgehogs, butterflies, fieldmice and the occasional fox all come to call (they don't seem to mind the paving). I was hoping the programme might give me some tips as we really can't afford to remove all the concrete and paving, but their ideas would cost us even more !!! Can we have something for those of us on a budget PLEASE ?
Nan x -
Message 36
Posted by Madonplants (U5524817) on Thursday, 20th November 2008
I watched it late last night, after recording it, but maybe wish I hadn't. I had high hopes for it, but sadly it was just a poor, grander version of Ground Force, which I actually liked. Why did they have to have Nick Knowles there, for Chr**t's sakes? He should stick to DIY SOS, which I do like. I really liked the Water Vole bit and clearing up the riverbank advice. In a way, it was kids playing with their Dad's toys, with the big trees, diggers and cranes. I felt sorry for Chris, but did he see the final edit, before it went out to air? If he did, he is not the person I thought he was. The lady said all she had in the garden were squirrels. Now with the Hazel tree, she'll get a lot more! Were they actually planting into the river? I do hope they got permission to do that, from the local Water Authority!
This was more an entertainment show, than either gardening or wildlife. The bit that gets me, is that the British Public are paying towards shows like this, why are they, the Ö÷²¥´óÐã, not listening to us!!! How much did it all cost?? I'm a 44 year old man and may have to accept the Ö÷²¥´óÐã doesn't cater for my needs any longer! Maybe the next one will be better, though I am not holding my breath! -
Message 37
Posted by Jenks812 (U5452843) on Thursday, 20th November 2008
I think it's been said before but the main thing I didn't like about the programme was that it seemed to be saying, "You could have a wildlife garden, if you can throw bags and bags of money at it."
If what they want to achieve from this programme is to get people doing this in their own gardens then they should have gone low budget.
Smaller, less expensive plants and a bit more on the knowledge side instead of showing Chris Beardshaw sweating and the girl doing her water vole dance.
Nick Knowles didn't have to be there but then neither did any of the others.
None of them came out of the programme with any credit I don't think.
I liked Chris' design but don't like the expensive plants that they used.
Rant over. Probably won't be watching again. -
Message 38
Posted by Aspidistra (U11680993) on Thursday, 20th November 2008
Ma/hypercharleyfarley, actually you are right, I shouldn't have criticised Nick Knowles accent, I should have just stuck to saying his having a laddish/Tommy persona, so at odds with CB and the whatsername. I apologize, seriously.
Its like someone sat down and thought, right, so we need an attractive female, a sensible gardener, and a blokey bloke to appeal to all sections of the audience. What a combo. Um, yes, in Groundforce, some years ago maybe...a bit too contrived now. Imagine how different it might be without the Nick Knowles character. -
Message 39
Posted by Little Cornflower (U12037777) on Thursday, 20th November 2008
Nick Knowles is in a golden handcuffs contract with the Ö÷²¥´óÐã and therefore they are finding him as many presenting slots as they can.
I enjoyed the programme and will watch the rest of the series with interest.
I do wish, however that they would tell you how much has been spent and possibly give a few hints as to how a similar effect could be achieved, cheaper.
Anything with CB on it gets my vote, but I did think it was an enjoyable 30mins -
Message 40
Posted by Cobbettcountry (U13705336) on Thursday, 20th November 2008
I liked the programe, yes ok it had is faults but who doesnt make mistakes when doing any project, They went for impact and it worked for me. Why does everyone need to be spoon fed about what plants they used. Look on the bbc wed site and use you eyes. Getting rid of concrete and turning a boring garden into a green oasis has my approval anyday.
-
Message 41
Posted by the cycling gardener (U2350416) on Thursday, 20th November 2008
As garden creation goes, this garden was not loads of money to construct. Decking is a very cost effective way of dealing with unpleasant surfaces and problems with levels. The pergola was a very basic construction using bog standard timber and simply concreted below. The trees and shrubs would have taken the lion's share of the budget but the lady client (and I don't mean to be rude) was getting on a bit and can't wait 20 years for trees to mature so they spent the money and bought time.
I have two complaints: why Nick Knowles? What a total waste of time and space he is but I know his presence on a programme means it will be dumbed down, lightweight TV so I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised at the end result. It would be improved immensely if Chris presented and designed.
Secondly, have they not heard of project management. So you need to bring some over-sized plant material into a garden - you don't build the pergola in the path of the machinery intended to bring the stuff in. In the real world the cost of dismantling the pergola and rebuilding would need to be paid for by someone and it wouldn't be the contractor who would have had a major hissy fit at the incompetance.
I'll continue to watch but how much better it would have been with Matthew Wilson on wildlife and Chris Beardshaw on design and build. -
Message 42
Posted by londonplantmad (U2392946) on Thursday, 20th November 2008
Lets Go Wild Tonight was exactly the right title for it because it made my blood boil. What did we actually see C.B do. Nothing much in my opinion. O.K he may have designed it but not at his expense. I would have liked to have been told the budget for this garden also the cost of having to hire the digger and then the extra work for the obvious cock up. Those mature trees are out of most peoples budget as well as the digger. Creating a wildlife garden is all about seeing it progress. Water Voles are for water which was nearby and how many people would see one or be fortunate to be near water. It was a good result but it would be for anyone who has a bottemless pit of money. In the current economic climate i thought it was obscene. Chris Beardshaw likes to be the showman but has little substance. Like Flying Gardener lots of flying again very expensive but little real gardening.
-
Message 43
Posted by daffwhelan (U3955214) on Thursday, 20th November 2008
I find it incredibly rude that you cannot go to the Ö÷²¥´óÐã gardening home page and find out that the third presenter of this programme is called Ellie Harrison before you submit your message. As to your comment that she is unbelievably photogenic ...! what would you have her do? Go under the knife and turn ugly!!! What have her looks got to do with anything? Whether you liked the programme or not I think that she deserves some respect and her name is given on the gardening homepage and is very easy to find out. You calling her 'whatsername' is just downright rude. I thought that she seemed to know her subject matter all right.
-
Message 44
Posted by Aspidistra (U11680993) on Thursday, 20th November 2008
Daffwhelan, I really can't be bothered to trawl through the beeb thing and waste time to find out someone's name.
It would be rude if I was talking to her and didn't bother with her name, yes, but I am not, am I? I am talking to people who will understand my shorthand. It is not some sexist slant or something - I know the names of the other two presenters because I have come across them before.
While discussing the presenters, it would be ignoring the elephant in the room not to notice that she is so photogenic, in stark contrast, IMHO, to Nick Knowles. What's wrong with saying that?
My previous point was that to some degree the casting itself involved stereotypes. I am not making any comment whatsoever about her abilities or not as a presenter. -
Message 45
Posted by Avalonisle (U12082017) on Thursday, 20th November 2008
Aspidistra. I didn't think it was rude of you either. I didn't know her name and she was obviously there as a 'pretty face'. I thought the programme was a waste of money. What was the budget? Phenominal I should think, who has that sort of money to waste, especially in these days of recession.
The lady whose garden was 'made-over' was too old for young trees, well methinks they should have found a young person and put younger trees in. Just a thought.
I so agree with Londonplantmad "Chris Beardshaw likes to be the showman but has little substance. Like Flying Gardener lots of flying again very expensive but little real gardening"
I have grown up respecting the Ö÷²¥´óÐã, now they just come across as another commercial company, who are turning out trivia to get the ratings. Shame on you Ö÷²¥´óÐã -
Message 46
Posted by welshcol (U2301689) on Thursday, 20th November 2008
Well it really was Groundforce revisited! They even took up the concrete and put down decking! Would have been nice to know a bit more about the plants and the whopping great trees they planted. An entertaining half hour - but not really gardeningÂ
My thoughts exactly when will they learn that throwing oodles of money, I hate to think how much in terms of both plants and labour, does not a good garden or entertaining programme make. It was a light weight makeover with no depth at all. The celebs were just getting in each others way or egos and not much benefit to be gleaned or gained for the average viewing gardener or wild life enthusiast. When will these programme makers and more especially the Ö÷²¥´óÐã as commissioning people realise that most of their audience have an IQ of over 40 and need a bit of meat on the bare bones on an already tried and tired format. First time and last time for me. 
-
Message 47
Posted by mommydoos (U2592301) on Thursday, 20th November 2008
Watched it & thought it was very Changing Rooms/Garden Force I'm afraid. Nothing to make me want to sit & watch it week on week.
Sorry! -
Message 48
Posted by ~:*-Venus-*:~ (U218978) on Thursday, 20th November 2008
I was very disappointed with the programme. Like alot have said already, it was just another version of groundforce.
It could have been so much more Where was the information on HOW to attract wildlife to your garden? what species of plants will attract wildlife? How to go about making a wildlife garden? How to maintain a wildlife garden? It really did'nt fulfill any of those things. To my mind it was how to makeover a garden in two days and spend ridiculous amounts of money in the process.
I won't be watching it again, it's not what i would call gardening for wildlife. -
Message 49
Posted by green-buddha (U11615833) on Thursday, 20th November 2008
I didn't think I was going to like it, and in the event I was right (for once in my life).
Apart from the bad planning (who I wonder ordered the lifter with a wheelbase wider than the alleyway?), I got the impression that the main reason this particular garden was chosen was not so much because of the occupier's interest in wildlife (as demonstrated by her reaction on encountering a watervole for the first time) but because of the river at the end of her garden.
I don't expect future 'clients' to be budding Bill Oddies, but where gardens are concerned I would rather they selected ones more like my own with no obvious advantages in them, and then showed how something very unpromising can be turned into a wildlife haven. -
Message 50
Posted by FellowCuckoo (U8523852) on Thursday, 20th November 2008
I have just managed to catch up with this on iplayer and, I have to say, I was also very disappointed with it.
Many of the criticisms have already been voiced: Ground Force revisited; poor project management; insufficient plant information. Pity. I liked the look of CB's completed garden but I would have liked more information on how he got there. No guidance on planting given, costings of those mature trees etc. If I had been watching, wanting to develop my garden into a wildlife haven, it wouldn't have taught me much at all.
We know that CB is a talented designer but his contributions were frittered away by poor production values on the programme.
About this Board
Welcome to the new Gardening Board. If this is your first time, then make sure you check out the
or  to take part in a discussion.
The message board is currently closed for posting.
Weekdays 09:00-00:00
Weekends 10:00-00:00
This messageboard is .
Find out more about this board's
Search this Board
Ö÷²¥´óÐã iD
Ö÷²¥´óÐã navigation
Ö÷²¥´óÐã links
Ö÷²¥´óÐã © 2014 The Ö÷²¥´óÐã is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.