New beginnings
It's a funny old world. One door closes, another one opens. As we wistfully say goodbye to one gardening era we're suddenly turning to see the dawn of an exciting new season. Finally, after months of speculation, the news is out that Toby Buckland is to step into Monty's shoes and lead the Gardeners' World team through a whole new set of garden challenges. Are we delighted? Yes, we are absolutely thrilled!
I've known Toby for about seven years and in that time I've grown to admire and respect him as a gardener and presenter. His professional training is wide; from nursery jobs as a teenager to studies at Bicton, Hadlow and the Cambridge University Botanic Gardens; then years working both in England and abroad before returning to Cambridge as the Superintendent of their Woodland and Herbaceous sections. But it isn't just his training that has won my respect. It's because Toby's a real gardener too. I know it is not just a job, but a way of life for him and his wife Lisa and both garden just as passionately off camera as I've seen them do on camera. It's been a torturous few of weeks keeping the appointment under wraps when everyone has been asking who would be stepping up to the challenge this autumn. But now the news is out and there's a whole new buzz in the office as we start to plan the next gardening year. In Toby we've found a gardener with whom we can all share our gardening experiences, but ultimately someone from whom we can learn. In the past I think he may have been seen as the quiet man of gardening. Personally I'm over the moon that this quiet man has been given a new voice.
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~29~RS~)
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Nobody likes change, I believe. Losing Monty was a huge blow but all appeared well when Carole, Joe and recently Alys seemed to all work so well together. Just as everything seemed to gel, we have another 'main' presenter. So why did the others not get the job. Were they offered it, if so, did they trun it down due to other work? Any other bloggers fancy having a stab at why?
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Oh what a shame. I share the views of the previous blogger. We were really hoping that Carole would continue the fantastic job as anchor for the show. She is a real asset with her passion, enthusiasm and detailed knowledge of plants, a true nursery-woman.
We'll give Toby the benefit of the doubt and tune in with interest in September when he joins the show - but will miss Carole!
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When I saw Mr. Buckland’s charming smile, I sort of expected him to be the next presenter.
I’m a big fan of Carol, and happy seeing Carol, Joe and Alys are working together.
Now, I’m looking forward to seeing Mr. Buckland in the program.
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I think Toby Buckland will prove to be a great choice and will complement the team well. The series gradually bedded down as you could see Joe and Carol (Both also excellent) were doing bits of Monty and lets face it theres nobody like Monty! I kind of hope it becomes more of a team rather than a lead presenter! Good luck to all concerned.
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I would have liked to see Carol get the job, but i dont think she wanted it - otherwise she would have gotten it. Joe is a designer and a good one at that and his input is fantastic, but he has too llimited experience and Alys needs to gain a few more years experience before should could present a show like this - these people make up the team - its a team effort and they all bring someting to the table, i still miss Monty but I know Toby has big feet to fill and i wish him well in the job and look forward to watching him bring his own touches to the job. Monty had a very difficult job and look how well the nation too to him. I love the programme and as i say - the team do bring a lot of themselves to it, keep up the good work and i have to love love how carol gets my enthusiasm going,
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I agree, I saw no problem with continuing with the present team. Are the BBC incapable of contemplating this programme with a woman very much in charge?
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When we first saw Mr Toby Buckland talking about the plants that grow wild around our countryside, I said to my wife, that I would watch Gardeners World again if he was the presenter. Congratulations. Gardening is about gardening and not over use of poetic outpourings and effusive language. Please bring back the informative nature of the programme.
Alan
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I am very sorry to read (in The Daily Telegraph on 23rd August) that Carol Klein was not given the opportunity to apply for the role of lead presenter on Gardners World. The BBC is refusing to comment, yet again, on its recruitment process. This is a public company and we have the right to know how they choose their staff and whether their policies are in line with current legislation and guidance. I am going to ask The Equality and Human Rights Commission whether the BBC is in breach of its equalities duties.
Vanessa42
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Vanessa42 I hope you do ask questions about this appointment. I hope you also get some answers.
Despite Carol's popularity and competence I just knew she wouldn't be allowed to get the permanent job as main presenter. She's not posh enough, she's not young enough and she's not male.
I wonder what Jeremy Paxman thinks!
The BBC really should speak up on this issue.
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Ive got nothing against toby buckland but you should all go to the daily telegraph web site and find the interview with carol kline. You can tell how upset she was to of not been offered the job.. The bbc claim buckland was given the job as they did audience reasearch. What audience they asked, who knows. Childrens bbc i guess.
BBC please note. YOU SHOULD ALL BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELFS.
Lets hope corol does not leave in disgust.
I happened to love gardeners world as it was. Carol, joe and alys.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2602237/Gardeners-World-bosses-didnt-want-me-says-presenter-Carol-Klein.html
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I too am disappointed that one of the existing presenters was not given the job - OR as someone else said - why have a head presenter? the team was bedding in (excuse the pun) so well with carol, joe and alys. The mix was right, covered all the expertises and interesting characters. Why does one have to be a bigger star than the others?
Toby i am sure is a lovely guy - but his presentation style and type of gardening is DULL! Bedding plants... oh my goodness... where are we in the 1950s!!
Come on BBC - things were going ahead so well... Friday nights something to look forward to! A great team, lovely plants, interesting, great photography and enthusiastic presenters - great "special" programmes over the summer... do we now have bedding scheme gardening to look forward to.
Toby - good luck as you make your mark - i hope you hear the concerns of some of the bloggers and take them on board with good heart...
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Apparently Tobby Buckland got the job based on "experience and talent" (BBC comment). Mh, so exactly how was this measured against Carol Klein then? Both in terms of experience and talent, she's got it in spades.
But the BBC doesn't care about real gardening, so they've appointed somebody who is a) male; b) not too old and c) very, very boring (bedding plants? sharp lawn edges??).
Just hoping Carol gets snapped up by another channel! She's simply fab - would be a complete shame not to see more of her and her enthusiastic, no-nonsense style of gardening.
PS: already submitted my official complaint to the BBC - probably won't do any good, but hopefully at least Carol will know how disgusted loyal watchers are by the BBC decision to completely ignore her.
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I have watched the last few programs and I am sorry to say that Toby Buckland is not up to the task of presenting a gardening program and I actually turned over last week. It was just so boring.
Why did the BBC ignore Carol Klein she is by far the best the BBC have, she makes everything seem so easy and fun and is full of fun herself.
I will just watch the clips from the web site from now on, Toby I am afraid has ruined the program.
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Like howard6 I too turned off last week, after 30 years of watching!! I'm sure Mr Buckland is very knowledgable, but it is like being back at primary school with a very dull teacher - please bring back Carol, Joe and Alys - they complimented each other so well - and their joy and enthusiasm just sang out.
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Have to agree with the comments here, Toby Buckland comes across like a Blue Peter presenter, and as for the bedding! A real shame that the Carol/Joe/Alys soviet style co-op was interfered with, and as for the apparent treatment of Carol Klein - disgraceful.
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