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Posted by David K (U2221642) on Saturday, 28th February 2009
Sadly, Geoffrey Smith - TV broadcaster & gardener has passed away:
RIP dear friend and thanks for the memories.
Quite so.
As a fellow Yorkshireman (a mere youngster of 42, now exiled in London...) I grew up with Mr Smith's laconic, down-to-Earth, enagaging personality. He was my first GARDENERS' WORLD 'host' and as such I learned everything I know today.
I have the range of "Mr Smith's..." gardening books that I dip into every growing season - I will will treasure them even more now.
Thank you, Geoffrey. Ta, lad.
How sad. A stroke is a terribly cruel way to go. I lost my mother through one. He brought everybody so much gardening joy and I just wish I had got myself into the routine of listening in to 'Garden's Question Time' and heard more of him.
Very sad news. He was one of the great communicators in the golden age of TV gardening programmes. I'll always remember the various filmed series that he did on propagation, alpine flowers etc. Fortunately I still have some of them on tape.
, in reply to message 4.
Posted by green-buddha (U11615833) on Saturday, 28th February 2009
He was a lovely man, a very gentle man with a warm sense of humour, but above all he was a real gardener's gardener. It was from one of his superbly and yet simply written books that I learned (to my utter amazement) to take cuttings successfully by aerial layering.
I have a Radio 4 taped interview of him which I shall cherish, but I am hoping that there will be a special tribute programme to him shortly.
Green-buddha - Interesting to note that this week's Gardeners' Question Time (Sunday, 1400 radio4) will carry a tribute to Geoffrey with contributions from his fellow panellists together with some of his broadcast contributions.
, in reply to message 6.
Posted by green-buddha (U11615833) on Saturday, 28th February 2009
Very many thanks for the info David K, I look forward to hearing it.
Thanks for bringing this sad new to our attention David.
I remember him from before I was really interested in gardening. I may be wrong, but I think he used to do short gardening items on local TV here in Yorkshire as well. Lovely man.
Jb
, in reply to message 8.
Posted by Little Cornflower (U12037777) on Sunday, 1st March 2009
Yes - very sad news. Looking forward to GQT this afternoon and hopefully, a fitting tribute to a great gardener.RIP Geoffrey
....and a lovely tribute it was. How I wish I'd begun to listen to GQT years ago.
Drat, missed it!!! Very sorry to hear about Geoff - he was a hero of mine, and I unfortunately forgot to listen to GQT to hear the tribute today... I think the one on i-player was from Friday - have I just skimmed through and missed the tribute, or is it not available on i-player yet???
Thanks
Margi x
Hi Margi,
I think the tribute was at the expense of the GQT margi. This afternoon was my first introduction to Geoffrey Smith, and I am sorry not to have come to gardening earlier to have experiened his wit, yorkshire humour and extraordinary gardening knowledge before he died. Pippa's account of him was particularly moving.
Mich
I was pleased that this tribute program highlighted Geoffrey's involvement with the formation of Harlow Carr, including an intertesting discussion between Matthew Wilson & Geoffrey.
, in reply to message 1.
Posted by victoriasbackyard (U13853935) on Sunday, 1st March 2009
i was a huge fan and I was very sorry to hear of his death. I'd love to see a tribute programme and even better, a re-run of The World of Flowers. Perhaps the Ö÷²¥´óÐã might bring it out on DVD?
, in reply to message 14.
Posted by I have Herc's camera (U13811967) on Monday, 2nd March 2009
That is very sad news. Geoffrey was a real gardener's gardener, an inspiration. I have his World of Flowers books, which I still get down from the shelf occasionally. The series were wonderful, the sort of programmes that so rarely get made these days but ought to be. You never saw decking or a pillaged tree fern around when Geoff was on the box, it was all about the plants. He will be missed.
For those who missed this GQT tribute program to Geoffrey Smith:
Thanks David - I really appreciate that!
Margi x
Just the sound of his voice on the tribute brought a smile to my face! His enthousiasm was infectious, and I remember his series on flowers with affection. He ignited my interest in gardening, I shall forever be in his debt.
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