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Posted by fynch (U14268213) on Saturday, 19th December 2009
are they two different sections of the bbc? The new countryfile is great. Yet the new gardeners world is well to be honest smewhat sad. The only really interesting progamme was the hour long special on RHS. Can't you get some new enthisiastic preenters and a different format? It worked for country file
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It's cracking isn't it? I particularly enjoy the sections on Adam's farm - it's clearly a well run operation - perhaps exceptionally so. But it's a real farm, not a film set, and he's refreshingly frank about the practices and economics of farm management. He treats his audience as interested adults, no gimmicks or euphemisms.
As a viewer I come away feeling better informed, but 'entertained' too - as in having had an engaging and pleasurable viewing experience.
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, in reply to message 2.
Posted by garrigillgal (U14258845) on Saturday, 19th December 2009
Hi Fynch,
I prefer this new Countryfile format too - and it is split into 'bite-size' sections - so to me, these diverse 'snippets' are not the problem with the new GW - I would think they could be acceptable to most viewers, whatever their age - they can work - but the producers haven't got it right despite a whole year of trying - maybe next season will be different....
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Well Adams father was right,
"When the berries they do grow, in the winter you will be in for snow"
However I would not dismiss GW so quickly, possibly you are enjoying Countryfile because the content is less known to you and thus you find more interesting.
There is a joke amongst cellist about the difference between firewood and cello, being that the firewood will at least keep you warm! As you really get absorbed into something there is a back-swing of inertia saying no, no not more?
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Well Adams father was right,
"When the berries they do grow, in the winter you will be in for snow"
However I would not dismiss GW so quickly, possibly you are enjoying Countryfile because the content is less known to you and thus you find more interesting.
There is a joke amongst cellist about the difference between firewood and cello, being that the firewood will at least keep you warm! As you really get absorbed into something there is a back-swing of inertia saying no, no not more? Â
...........eh!!!??? - you been at the old damson gin hereisabee..... I've been watching Countryfile for a good few years now and still prefer the new updated format though......
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I find that the elusive, but know it when I see it, "chemistry" that has been part of GW is missing this season. I like the presenters individually but something is missing. Perhaps it works best when the presenter's own garden is at the centre. I know that Monty was not in his own garden but one always felt that he owned the place.
Countryfile on the other hand seems to have gone for sheer enthusiasm and interest, and as has been said, treats the audience like adults. There are lots of people doing work that they love but in this case the work is diverse. The programme reflects the same breadth of interests, activities and concerns as its target audience.
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For fair comparison you need to know the cost of the two programmes? I suspect Countryfile has a much bigger budget.
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You don't need a huge budget to do a good garden programme. You need a garden, a presenter or two, some plants, seeds, compost, secateurs and a good camera man or woman.
A greenhouse and some coldframes would add to the mix but don't have to be huge or expensive.
Add some garden visits and plant profiles plus an intelligent script and bingo, you have a gardening programme.
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Indeed. Part of the problem with the programme in the first half of the season especially was the rate of introduction of major new projects with something big and new most weeks. Not only was it hard to keep up, it was hard to stay connected to such a scale of outlay. Many projects were as big as some people's whole gardens.
Yes Greenacre needed infrastructure, but did it need an exotic garden, waist high raised veg garden, three demonstration front gardens, a prairie garden, hot bedding borders, seaside garden, woodland garden....(what have I forgotten?) all in the first few months?
I'd like it to slow down, let us enjoy the details and keep most projects to a normal domestic scale.
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You don't need a huge budget to do a good garden programme. You need a garden, a presenter or two, some plants, seeds, compost, secateurs and a good camera man or woman. Â
Morning Obelixx - I absolutely agree - the producers etc. need to 'engage' (I think the buzz word is currently) with the audience and you just need enthusiasm, knowledge and a few bits and pieces to make that work - aka Beechgrove....let's wait and see -
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Re Countryfile....
Lovely programme tonight, but why on earth were they rescuing injured foxes - and then breeding from them! By all means they should take in injured foxes, but then put them down humanely. There really isn't anywhere in the UK that needs a higher fox population, surely?
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don't forget the twilight garden Trillium!
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, in reply to message 12.
Posted by poshHebeJeebie (U9319867) on Tuesday, 5th January 2010
Trillium: if fox cubs didn't look so cute, no-one would think twice!
On Exmoor, foxes are a real menace. My friend (a moorland farmer) has huge problems at the moment with the weather. He just so doesn't need the additional problem of fox predation.
But if the fox looked less attractive????
PHJ
PS saw Reynard on Sunday, bold as you like, strolling up the lane. He turned and looked me in the eye. What a magnificient creature. But what a pest in the countryside!
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, in reply to message 13.
Posted by Palaisglide (U3102587) on Wednesday, 6th January 2010
Countryfile has been my must see programme from the beginning and the new one is an improvement on something I thought could not be improved.
Having lived my early life on farms and smallholdings I can see it is down to earth with no titivating for those who have never had that experience.
Although Adam uses modern machinery and methods, it still come down to the hard work and love of animals that farmers have, that never changes if you want a successful farm.
We had problems with foxes, we shot them, my father thought poisoning too inhumane, I am talking of many years back.
Gardeners world lost its way last year and I stopped watching.
This year they need to rethink in that more and more people are making gardens productive for economical reasons. Those people may not have ever seen productive gardens as we older ones had and need to be shown how it is done.
I repeat Dads old saw as he planted rows of seeds, "one for the birds one for the insects and three for us", in other words live with nature do not fight it.
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, in reply to message 14.
Posted by poshHebeJeebie (U9319867) on Wednesday, 6th January 2010
Agree wholeheartedly Palaisglide! I've always enjoyed Countryfile, and I think it's got even better!
(I wonder if any of the "suits" at Defra watch it? They might learn a thing or two)
Re GW - well, I had high hopes when Toby first started, but can't be bothered with it unless (a) there is nothing else on the TV when (if) it's broadcast (b) I have nothing else to do or (c) if the paint I was watching is dry
PHJ
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, in reply to message 15.
Posted by Palaisglide (U3102587) on Wednesday, 6th January 2010
"Aye indeed Posh" watching paint dry can be trying though not as trying as GW became.
I spend time swishing through the free channels where you can watch almost any programme that has been on the main channel at least three times more, QI being one of them.
GW has become a mere shadow of its former self, but then we remember the great days of GW when presenters were full of knowledge they wished to pass on.
Those presenters will never return, somewhere out there must be other AT's male or female, our own Trillium being one I have watched with interest.
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, in reply to message 16.
Posted by poshHebeJeebie (U9319867) on Wednesday, 6th January 2010
Hi Palais! To be Frank - I can't be bothered with all those chanels, repeats etc etc, yawn, yawn.
Yes, Trillium would be Ace. Bet the Beeb wouldn't even give it a second thought! All presentation over substance, these days. And "music". And silly camera work. (say no more!)
PHJ
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, in reply to message 1.
Posted by Stressed out (U11163734) on Wednesday, 6th January 2010
I still think the problem is that they have tried to appeal to a new audience that isn't there.
So they should have carried on doing what they did very well and possibly do some additional specials to bring in and build an audience for the main program.
As some of the posters have mentioned there has been too much focus on exotic plants, which looking outside today could have been a very expensive mistake.
I was a little disappointed that the alpine house was lost somewhere as they can be a really good set of plants for people with very small gardens.
It needs a bit of back to basics
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, in reply to message 17.
Posted by Palaisglide (U3102587) on Wednesday, 6th January 2010
Frank?? who is frank??? Like Doctor Who this board devours the predecessor and regurgitates them as another being.
So appears from the Ö÷²¥´óÐã Palaisglide who in another life was some Reme bloke or was he?
Out of boredom I looked back at some of the old recordings of AT and discovered a truth that the producers have forgotten.
Lay out the idea, plan it, have everything ready, do the job, finish the story. Most important of all go back later and see either the success or on odd occasions failure of the project.
What happened to projects on the last GW, the rickety shed roof garden and bunny hutch. The drowning pool, the Alpine house, the whats new board and all the exotics that could stand a few degrees of frost? We had minus 10 night after night.
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, in reply to message 19.
Posted by poshHebeJeebie (U9319867) on Wednesday, 6th January 2010
Well - if the famous doctor can re-invent himself as a new persona, so can anyone! I think I might become a Shrinking Violet
Oh Palais - the reference to the dance was a dead giveaway!
Now - your idea (storyboard in meejaspeak?) about a proper plan has potential. Like writing a story, really - a beginning, a middle and an end (and, if you like, an epilogue)
Wonder if anyone of consequence reads the boards these days? Or uses the odd brain cell or two to realise that All Is Not Well in the land of GW?
Hmmmmmmm
PHJ
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Well spotted PHJ - I wasn't there at all. But I only have one fan and I should have spotted him straight off
Lovely to have you back Frank/Palais..... missed you!
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, in reply to message 21.
Posted by poshHebeJeebie (U9319867) on Wednesday, 6th January 2010
Style & content are like a fingerprint on the boards, Trillium!
Yes - glad to see "Palais" with trenchant views, as ever!
PHJ
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, in reply to message 21.
Posted by Palaisglide (U3102587) on Wednesday, 6th January 2010
Trillium,
Only one fan??? by my last count after your short though informative garden feature it was many and vocal, you are a star Lass without doubt, let us hope those who will be obeyed take note.
Posh, are you taking the modified water my love, Shrinking Violet indeed.
You tell it as it is which is what the boards are for. I only wish more posters did the same.
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, in reply to message 23.
Posted by poshHebeJeebie (U9319867) on Wednesday, 6th January 2010
Palais - "modified water"
Hope you're keeping well and warm in this dreadful weather. We had missed most of it until yesterday (benign SW) but I reckon you've had more than your fair share of the white stuff!
PHJ (aka SV)
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, in reply to message 24.
Posted by mattthegaffer (U14184801) on Friday, 8th January 2010
I have to agree....I think that GW has got worse over the years....i think they call it dumbing down. When I first started in the industry 18 years ago, GW was something to look upto. Im afraid that it isnt P.C to educate people in these times...its all about pretty views, pictures and apparently entertainment.
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Well Matt (may I abbreviate?),
I think they do try to educate but it is often by way of helping a young gardener in their own garden, rather than straight talking to camera.
I prefer the latter because then I feel included as if he/she is talking to me. Even if I know it already I like to see a professional planting, or pruning or taking cuttings etc. The other approach is more like a schools programme.
Summer
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, in reply to message 26.
Posted by poshHebeJeebie (U9319867) on Friday, 8th January 2010
Hmmmm. Fair points. I wonder what the average age of the production team is, or if any of them live beyond the Urban Jungle. Could make a difference!
PHJ
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, in reply to message 26.
Posted by mattthegaffer (U14184801) on Friday, 8th January 2010
Yup.....point taken...and yes..abbreviation fine.
It doesnt have to be like being at school...but atleast get content correct. I remember in the Titchmarsh days being shown how to plant a bare root native hedge. Alan turn to camera and said that he was now going to plant a hawthorn, great I thought....I collate customer orders of bare root hedging, hawthorn being top of the list.....infact 1,000,000 sold in just one day....so...what did he plant.....blackthorn. Now maybe this is minor but heay...atleast show the correct plant and dont hope that people won't notice. Surely people can be enthused at the same time as learning a little?
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Matt,
I'll bet his face was red when he realized. It would be without leaves would it? Was it corrected?
Summer
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, in reply to message 29.
Posted by mattthegaffer (U14184801) on Saturday, 9th January 2010
It was without leaves...and wasnt corrected....i just homed in on it as i was supplying so many at the time...had to have a little chuckle.
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