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Posted by Jen (U14605575) on Tuesday, 5th October 2010
Hi everyone
We're starting to plan next year's Red Button coverage of the Chelsea Flower Show.
We'd really like to know what you liked, what you didn't like and what you think was missing.
I'd really like the conversation to be about the Red Button coverage only please! If you want to have a separate converstation about the ´óÏó´«Ã½1 and ´óÏó´«Ã½2 coverage we can start another thread.
I know lots of people were disappointed that the programmes weren't available on Freeview during the day (believe me, I was more disappointed than all of you put together) but that was beyond the control of the production team.
Is it the show gardens you really like to see in detail or is it the plants/flowers in the marquee?
thanks!
Jen
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Not so much 'what' as 'who'. James Alexander Sinclair is entertaining, personable, knowledgeable and eloquent. A real pleasure to watch - red button or otherwise.
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, in reply to message 2.
Posted by mister-grow-it-all (U14591945) on Tuesday, 5th October 2010
I like seeing the new plants ,last year there where some on the red button but not as many or as good as past years , more about new plants please ,,And less about orchids
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, in reply to message 1.
Posted by mister-grow-it-all (U14591945) on Tuesday, 5th October 2010
plants/flowers in the marquee please
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Plants and flowers presented by and discussed by people who know what they are talking about.
Significantly less on the show gardens.
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More plants and flowers please
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i read somewhere the most popular use of the red button was to kill the 'music' soundtrack. which is why they stopped that function.
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OH was not happy that the coverage was not on during the day this year as she was off work all week.
Could there be just a little bit less of the show gardens and a little bit more of the plants.
We did actually go on the last day (we normally go on Friday)and picked up quite a few bargains.
Please don't change the graphics or the music
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, in reply to message 8.
Posted by Ariadne Knickerbocker (U4534559) on Tuesday, 5th October 2010
I would like to see more of Cleve West.
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Me too, but I don't really have time for the red button coverage so I'd really like that thread on the TV coverage and what we'd like more, less and none of.
I also second Trillium's request for more James AS. He's brilliant.
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Thanks for your replies so far - it's really useful.
Does anyone think the show gardens are essential?
Would you be happy to live without the detailed show garden tours that Red Button offers?
Jen
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Chelsea is all about show gardens and plants and designs and combinations so yes, show gardens are essential for red button users - especially as the TV coverage is so bitty and doesn't include every show garden.
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I like the detailed "walk around the show gardens" as you see them all ( main coverage just concentrates on a few). I'd like a similar walk around the plant marquee so that we see a bit of all the plant stands and not excess coverage of roses,orchids,ferns for example. Please don't let us lose the red button coverage - I love it
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I like a combination of show gardens and plants, with good information giving plant names. If you aren't going to get to the show, understanding the trends and the thinking behind them is important.
I like all presenting to be done by people who are really knowledgeable, no thanks to non gardening celebrities,
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, in reply to message 14.
Posted by Ariadne Knickerbocker (U4534559) on Thursday, 7th October 2010
I would like to see less gushing and backslapping and more of an intelligent and/or amusing critique of the show gardens. James Alexander Sinclair let loose with his own opinions would be excellent in this role - although whether he would want to take the risk of alienating fellow designers is another matter. Nigel Colborn would be a great choice, opinionated, witty and erudite and an ex-RHS judge I believe, so would be able to give some insight into why the various medals have been given.
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I love the show gardens - and particularly the tours on the red button, and the interviews with the designers. I love the ideas behind the gardens, the juxtapositioning of planting, the effect of the weather on the gardens. The feeling of being outside, where plants belong!
I find the indoor stuff interesting, and love the hardy plants, the massive veggies, the herbs, but again, it's the people behind the plants that bring it alive for me, the interviews with Jekka, Medwyn, etc, and the clips from "back at the ranch", about how they got the plants to that stage.
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, in reply to message 16.
Posted by Sir Plantalot (U11098143) on Friday, 8th October 2010
Hi
I would like to see a bit more about the constructional side of things, for example how they create the stunning water features or fantastic paving effects. Maybe step by step guide?
Also more on the thinking behind the designs and how and why the designers chose the plants that they used. Plus how the plants are grown so that they are at their best at times of the year when they really shouldn't be.
I recognise that what interests me may not be to everyones taste so I think the red button idea is good, it gives more choice and can be used to cater for minority interests which may not be suited to the main programme.
On a slightly negative note I don't want to see any so called celebrities who clearly have little horticultural knowledge and contribute nothing to the programme. That said, I think that there should be an element of fun to give wider appeal. Possibly a difficult balance to achieve but not impossible.
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, in reply to message 17.
Posted by the cycling gardener (U2350416) on Monday, 11th October 2010
Definately red button for the show gardens please. I go to Chelsea every year and can easily get up close to the plants in the Great Pavilion but getting a good look at the show gardens is a pretty hit and miss affair depending on how sharp my elbows are, the number of brollies and walking sticks deployed as weaponry by by the visiting masses and the time of day I'm viewing a garden. There have been times when I've simply lost the will waiting to get anywhere near the small gardens down the Serpentine Walk or South Ranlegh Way.
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Yes, and the angle of view available is limited and there is no possibility for close inspection of plants, combinations or structures because of the barriers, even if you get there before the crowds.
Red button for garden tours is therefore essential. I'm hoping to get to Chelsea next year after a 3 year gap but will still want to see the gardens and plant marquee in close up via the TV.
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Thanks for all your opinions and suggestions. It's really useful.
There's no question that the red button coverage will continue (at least not as far as I'm aware!) but we're keen to know what works well and what doesn't from the audience's point of view.
We'll use your comments in helping us work out how to approach next year's coverage.
Feel free to keep adding your thoughts.
thanks
Jen
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Hello Jennifer. May I suggest a trawl through previous threads on Chelsea coverage from this year and previous years?
It's probably safe to summarise it as a) ditch the slots with minor celebrities and the non gardening presenters. b) Show all the gardens, big and small, in better detail with close ups and general views and plant names as subtitles c) More detailed coverage of nurserymen and women and their plants in the plant pavilion d) Make a separate series or programme on the build up to Chelsea - designer inspiration, plant sourcing etc e) separate series or programme on the gardens of any green fingered minor or even major celebs.
In other words, concentrate Chelsea coverage on showing the gardens, plants and plant people at Chelsea with gardening presenters who know what they're talking about. No fluff.
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Thanks for you points Obelixx. This thread is only about the Red Button coverage though, not the ´óÏó´«Ã½1 and ´óÏó´«Ã½2 coverage (see opening post).
Did you see any of the Red Button programmes? What did you think? Do you like the show garden tours and the walkabouts in the pavillion? Is there anything you'd like us to do differently?
thanks
Jen
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See my earlier posts on this thread. I saw very little of the red button coverage this year owing to time pressures but very much enjoyed what I did see - Carol on plants and a bit of JAS. I think they both give invaluable insights and JAS has such a lovely turn of phrase he'd be fascinating talking about bin liners so more of him please.
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I've never ever used the Red Button so I'm clearly missing out on something. I'm afraid it'll self destruct or vaporise if I did. A bit like computers.
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Must admit I've never pressed it either. The amount of primetime TV coverage of Chelsea at 15 hours is way more than my usual total weekly TV viewing hours (GW+Casualty+Spooks+not much else), so why or how I would could want more is somewhat beyond me.
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, in reply to message 25.
Posted by Summerchild (U14187397) on Saturday, 16th October 2010
I like the red button coverage because I can't watch every day and use the red button to see if there is anything I have missed, and for more detailed information.
I agree with most other posters that the plants and the plantspeople, the gardens and their designers and builders, the veg and herbs etc and their growers, are what I seek.
I do not want presenters (a voice to introduce each part will do), celebrities, or atmospheric shots of long walks on moorland or coast, on the red button.
Summer
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