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Gardeners' World Christmas Special Fri 19th Dec

• Message 1. 

  Posted by phyll_ostachys (U12011174) on Friday, 19th December 2008

  Hello all, just to get you in the mood, get a sneak preview of a festive GW and watch Sarah Raven making some lovely natural decorations
  
  
  
  Enjoy! Phyll

  Link to this forum: Gardeners' World Christmas Special Fri 19th Dec

• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by paperwhite (U6380063) on Friday, 19th December 2008

  I am really looking forward to the Christmas special, my favourite GW of the year!
  I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy 2009.
  Paperwhite

  Link to this forum: Gardeners' World Christmas Special Fri 19th Dec

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Grizelda (U10884918) on Friday, 19th December 2008

  I really love Sarah Raven. I saw an article on her in one of the weekend papers where she was talking about her Christmas at Sissinghurst. It just looked so lovely and atmospheric.
  
  She has a lovely place at Perch Hill too with a little shop. I heard that she was selling off 2008 calendars at 50% discount.

  Link to this forum: Gardeners' World Christmas Special Fri 19th Dec

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• Message 4

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by londonplantmad (U2392946) on Friday, 19th December 2008

  What did you all think of Monty's expensive rusty obelisks being replaced by lovely natural willow ones. The rusty ones i think £150 each with 5 more to go will now be used to grow runner beans. Surprise Surprise.

  Link to this forum: Gardeners' World Christmas Special Fri 19th Dec

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• Message 5

  , in reply to message 4.

  Posted by Dancing Dragonflies (U11928307) on Friday, 19th December 2008

  Well I hope the runner beans appreciate them
  
  

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• Message 6

  , in reply to message 4.

  Posted by Paul N (U6451125) on Friday, 19th December 2008

  What is happening to GW? This weeks episode was brilliant. I found myself laughing like a drain at the chat between Toby and Alice. I'm now thinking about making myself a willow bed. We have a mature White Willow at the bottom of the garden so I presume I could cut stems from that to save money?
  
  Joe, Don't ever, ever open sparkling wine like that. That's only ever done on the winner's podiums at Grand Prix and at chav's weddings. Hold the cork in your left hand, grip the bottle with your right hand and twist with your right hand only. Always keep onto the cork. The air should come out with a 'gentle plop' not effervesce down the bottle.
  
  A nice 'feel good' programme IMO.

  Link to this forum: Gardeners' World Christmas Special Fri 19th Dec

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• Message 7

  , in reply to message 6.

  Posted by Trillium (U2170869) on Friday, 19th December 2008

  I thought it was fab - best programme for ages. Loads of good gardening stuff and a close up of Arley Hall as well, our top local garden. I even enjoyed the cookery/floristry bits - good to know that the Bramleys I left out in the frost will juice and taste just fine - with an appropriate dollop of honey and brandy
  
  And those lovely space rocket obelisks will be perfect for runner beans - in about 20 years they'll have earned their keep

  Link to this forum: Gardeners' World Christmas Special Fri 19th Dec

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• Message 8

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  Posted by mummyduckegg (U8437139) on Friday, 19th December 2008

  I only caught last 15 mins but pleased to see the Sarah Raven bit - I can't stand her most of the year to be honest but I know her Christmas decoration bits are always good. It's the perfect time for faffy stuff I guess - wish my chinese lanterns had ripened rather than green and rotting in the GH

  Link to this forum: Gardeners' World Christmas Special Fri 19th Dec

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• Message 9

  , in reply to message 7.

  Posted by U2331885 (U2331885) on Friday, 19th December 2008

  From The Times today....
  
  "There is something delightfully old-fashioned about Gardeners’ World.
  
  As Christmas becomes ever more commercialised, it strives to conjure up a magic that isn’t dependent on AA batteries. In tonight’s programme, an old car jack is used to squash apples. This apple juice, delicious on its own, can be heated up and laced with brandy and cinnamon and given to granny.
  
  The garden has been planted with willow, reflecting the low winter sunlight in vivid shades of red and orange. Bottles of English sparkling wine are cracked open, and tree and table decorations are made. Just thinking about it is curiously restful."
  
  And so it was.
  
  
  
  

  Link to this forum: Gardeners' World Christmas Special Fri 19th Dec

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• Message 10

  , in reply to message 9.

  Posted by stevemc (U12568020) on Friday, 19th December 2008

  Definately the best GW for months

  Link to this forum: Gardeners' World Christmas Special Fri 19th Dec

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• Message 11

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by petrosmason (U13752533) on Saturday, 20th December 2008

  The decorations looked superb, thanks Sara, but who was responsible for allowing paint spraying to take place with lighted candles in full view.
  Broadcast on 19/12/2008
  
  I suggest that this did not set a very good example, perhaps before it is too late, this potentially serious fire hazard should be brought to everyones attention.

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• Message 12

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  Posted by paperwhite (U6380063) on Saturday, 20th December 2008

  I shall have to watch this again because I can't have been watching the same programe as the rest of you-. Apart from Sarahs table decoration, which was very dull and shot in record time there was nothing Christmasy about this edition at all, nothing that couldn't/wouldn't have been out of place in any other GW programe. And why didn't they all join up at the end? My least favourite xmas programe!

  Link to this forum: Gardeners' World Christmas Special Fri 19th Dec

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• Message 13

  , in reply to message 12.

  Posted by Ken Smart (U1158196) on Saturday, 20th December 2008

  I shall have to watch this again because I can't have been watching the same programe as the rest of you 
  I was thinking the same thing myself. In the best Xmas spirit, I watched it from start to finish, and really didn't wish to be critical - BUT. The gardening gods weren't with Toby from the start when it became necessary to conduct a major chunk of his Xmas special from a paddy field. Joe then felt he just had to declare his gardening year down at the allotment had been a huge success, when anyone vaguely familiar with the rudiments of gardening had already condemned it to gardening hell. Joe doesn't suffer from embarrassment. Sarah managed to stretch her Xmas baubles feature across both GW and her Telegraph column today - this is true efficiency. Carol did her 'family' feature, which has never honestly had much appeal to me - too many attempts to bring the toddler into play to elicit an 'aahh' effect. Alys tried hard to work with a poor script, and told us how to keep Count Dracula at bay. However, the biggest problem for me once again was the camera work. There was never a sequence which was 100% in focus. Blur, focus, blur - what is the benefit of this. I appreciate that I'm in a minority of one on this aspect, but it drives me crazy. It just unnecessary, and it is a crime when someone has to look away from the screen on a gardening programme. Almost a good programme - but not quite.

  Link to this forum: Gardeners' World Christmas Special Fri 19th Dec

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• Message 14

  , in reply to message 13.

  Posted by kandeakay (U9261848) on Saturday, 20th December 2008

  Oh dear.
  
  Lowest common denominator/Blue Peter.
  
  As always, Carole's propagation was the only saving grace.
  
  

  Link to this forum: Gardeners' World Christmas Special Fri 19th Dec

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• Message 15

  , in reply to message 14.

  Posted by janerowena (U10782401) on Saturday, 20th December 2008

  I rather liked it, it was indeed restful, apart from the naked flames near the spray paint as mentioned above - I found myself holding my breath!
  
  Paul, willow even shoots if you put it in upside down by mistake - it is the easiest thing to propagate ever, so go for it.
  
  Do we need a thread called 'My Ideal Programme'?

  Link to this forum: Gardeners' World Christmas Special Fri 19th Dec

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• Message 16

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Bluedoyenne (U2341157) on Saturday, 20th December 2008

  What a lovely surprise this Christmas Special was - some real gardening and the lovely borders of Arley Hall being shown at a time of year when most of us don't even see our gardens from one end of the week to the other, as it's dark when we leave home in the morning and dark when we get back in the evening.
  
  It was great ... until the obelisks.
  
  I don't know, and don't want to know, whether this was the production team's idea or, worse still, that of a presenter. Either way, it was cowardly and base. What a low way to finish the year in which MD was forced to step down because of ill health.

  Link to this forum: Gardeners' World Christmas Special Fri 19th Dec

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• Message 17

  , in reply to message 10.

  Posted by welshcol (U2301689) on Saturday, 20th December 2008

  Definitely the best GW for months 
  Agree completely-specific and informative items, good and not intrusive camera work, presenters on form, and that includes Carol who is not one of my favourites, and I thought the Toby & Alice sketch on the willow wigwams was a hoot. I just hope the format and approach can be continued into the new series and NOT a one off relaxed & festive Xmas affair.
  Congrats. to all concerned.
  Thought Monty's steel wigwams would not be there for long-shame but it was obvious they were an expensive indulgence so at least they have admitted the mistake and are to be dispatched "for a different use!!".

  Link to this forum: Gardeners' World Christmas Special Fri 19th Dec

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• Message 18

  , in reply to message 16.

  Posted by hdehoon (U2175617) on Saturday, 20th December 2008

  Really loved the teasel with glitter! I rushed out this morning to pick some and do the same!
  
  Nice, these natural materials of Sarah Raven, like the rosehips. But her Christmas table piece looked a bit sad...
  
  Had Alice her eyes lasered? What happened to her glasses?
  
  @Bluedoyenne: why was the willow obelisk item ´a low way to finish´? Where comes MD in?
  

  Link to this forum: Gardeners' World Christmas Special Fri 19th Dec

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• Message 19

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  Posted by jo4eyes (U13654107) on Saturday, 20th December 2008

  Good program.
  
  Thanks JRO for telling us willow will root either way up! OH spent the rest of prog asking how Toby knew which way to plant those first bits of stem (cant think of correct name for them)& I hadn't a clue.
  
  Loverly shots of Arley Hall & even OH would like to go there!
  Dont know if I want him to get interested in garden though!
  
  Never did get round to spray painting my allium seed heads but still have them in a vase so may yet get it done.
  
  Assume Alice sometimes wears contact lenses as not always in spex. Jo.

  Link to this forum: Gardeners' World Christmas Special Fri 19th Dec

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• Message 20

  , in reply to message 17.

  Posted by paperwhite (U6380063) on Saturday, 20th December 2008

  Thought Monty's steel wigwams would not be there for long-shame but it was obvious they were an expensive indulgence so at least they have admitted the mistake and are to be dispatched "for a different use!!".
  
  Disgraceful, yes they were expensive which is why in my opinion they should have been used for what they were designed to do, for use in the long borders. I'm sick of Toby already with his mend or bodge something together approach-stop trying to be another Geoff Hamilton, he was a one off and perfect for his day, you are not him. Stop dropping in 'slang' as though that will endear you to us, it doesn't. Move Gardeners World forward, we may be in a recession but the only way out is to look forward, inspire us and talk to us as adults and not as though we are watching Blue Peter!
  I am totally disheartened and sickened by Gardeners World at the moment!

  Link to this forum: Gardeners' World Christmas Special Fri 19th Dec

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• Message 21

  , in reply to message 15.

  Posted by GardenGnome (U4271468) on Saturday, 20th December 2008

  
  
  
  " rather liked it, it was indeed restful, apart from the naked flames near the spray paint as mentioned above - I found myself holding my breath!"
  
  OMG! Naked flames! Spray paint! No responsible adult around!??
  A case for ELF and safety surely! Happy Christmas everyone

  Link to this forum: Gardeners' World Christmas Special Fri 19th Dec

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• Message 22

  , in reply to message 21.

  Posted by Goldilocks (U2169760) on Sunday, 21st December 2008

  Very enjoyable, and a great relief. Gives me hope for next year. Highlight for me was Sarah Raven's bit, apple juice pressing and turning teasel into a hedgehog. Not that I'll ever do any of them, but good to watch.
  And has Alice ditched the glasses for contacts?
  I did wonder what Joe's allotment had to do with anything - let's hope it was the wake for his allotment slot, and that it won't arise from teh dead next year.
  And has Alice ditched the glasses for contacts? I had somehow got to like the specs, for some odd reason.

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• Message 23

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  Posted by Little Cornflower (U12037777) on Sunday, 21st December 2008

  I saw this last night and was expecting good things after having read this thread.
  However....I thought it was ok but a bit boring if I'm honest.
  Hope the new series is good

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