One week on and we're still coming to terms with Monty's sudden departure. It was a huge shock for the whole production team last Thursday. We all knew that he hasn't been well, but none of us ever thought it would come to this. Working with Monty has been great fun and a huge honour. And I, for one, will miss him greatly.
Monty took the very hard decision this week to stand down as the main presenter of Gardeners' World. He has been our gardening leader for the past five years and while his decision to stand down is completely the right one, there is not one member of our team who will not miss him dreadfully.
| 16:08 UK time, Thursday, 22 May 2008
Last week was my first week filming back at Berryfields in my role as producer of Gardeners' World since last year. I must admit, even though I know the garden so well, it changes so rapidly from one week to the next. Especially when plants seem to grow a foot a week, when your back is turned at this time of year. I love to grab a cup of tea at the beginning of the day and have a wander around while the cameras are setting up. I enjoy the comparison of the pace of growth between plants that I grow in my own small garden in Berkshire and those that are grown a hundred miles away in Warwickshire. Over my many years on Gardeners' World being based in Birmingham and gardening at home in Reading, I have worked out that, at the beginning of the year, there is about two weeks difference and eventually it all catches up towards the end of June.
So, at last, the sun has begun to shine and the pallid sheen we've all enjoyed courtesy of the winter weather has now been replaced by the crimson hues of too much sun, too soon. Last week was the perfect week for the Malvern Spring Flower Show - hot weather and the bustle of happy visitors. Even the sauna environment of the editing suites we were working in at the Three Counties Showground was not enough to dampen enthusiasm.
I can't believe it - yet another day of glorious weather - I feel like summer well and truly has her foot in the door of spring! I get so excited at this time of year - plants are growing without restraint, the soil is warm and the sun is shining - what could be better? Despite the sunshine, I have been office bound this week busy planning the programme for the 30th May (number 7) - a small moan about being inside but I have to admit the programme is going to be a treat (even if I do say so myself!). We are teaming up with Springwatch to explore the wilder side of Berryfields and have a rather special guest furtling in the borders! Expect nothing less than newts, insects (both good and bad), birds, wildflowers, garden plants, veg and of course trug loads of fabulous horticulture!
We've just finished filming programme 6 which goes out on 16 May. We normally film a week in advance, but this time it's a fortnight because we're at Malvern next week. The show is all about the changing way we garden, to reflect the challenges so many of us face these days. Regardless of whether you're short on time or simply don't have the space, May is the month to get out there and start gardening.
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