Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
General Subjects => General Forum => Topic started by: Maggi Young on March 29, 2017, 06:26:10 PM
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The new series of the Beechgrove Garden begins tomorrow night- Thursday 30th March.
Beechgrove Garden will be returning to your screens on Thursdays from 30th March at 19:30 on BBC 2 Scotland and on Sunday mornings from 2nd April on BBC 2 Network. (Viewers in other parts of the UK can also see BBC2 Scotland on one of the Sky Channels - I think 970)
On the opening programme of this season Helen Rushton of Bruckhills Croft Garden in Rothienorman in Aberdeenshire will have a visit from Carole Baxter - and I believe a photo of a snowdrop from an SRGC member may feature briefly!
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Yes, the photo of a rare snowdrop was featured at the end of Helen Rushton's segment with Carole Baxter - but more exciting, was the sight of SRGC seed packets being used in the alpine section - Brian Cunningham, an SRGC member and head gardener at Scone Palace spoke with Carole about the specialist seeds available - a little triumph for the Seed Team there!!
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What wonderful publicity for the SRGC seed exchange!
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excellent program - watch it on i-player last night
not sure about the fertilizer on the rock garden though
hang your head in shame Gardeners World or one man and his dogs as its known in our household
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What wonderful publicity for the SRGC seed exchange!
Brian Cunningham of Scone Palace , one of the members of the Beechgrove Team who are SRGC Members, spoke about growing alpines from seed - mentioning that the seeds he was using were from SRGC Seed Exchange ... here's an extract from the programme's Factsheet....
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Not long after the start of Beechgrove Garden's 2019 series, the BBC has announced that it would be taken off the air for several weeks, before returning later for a reduced season run. There is considerable anger at this, and there is a petition to sign is you wish to protest ....
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/keep-beechgrove-garden-on-air?bucket&fbclid=IwAR0RUss6ymlBK_PZt18hHWCbt-XEOf_yflHExuz_fLS2xvGm2Gvtj2nmSnE
This document is a letter that has been sent to the BBC on behalf of the Scottish Gardeners' Forum... [attachurl=1]
The Beechgrove Garden website says that the programme will return on 25th July - and shows this message ...
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Before coming on to Beechgrove I'll at least get my ten 'pennorth in about Gardener's World. The people who devise these programmes and the words which their presenters use in them are obviously certain that 98% of those watching have the attention-span and learning ability of a somewhat poorly amoeba and feel in the main that their presenters are somewhat similar! I think most of us, even those who rarely garden, would be able to make a 'stab in the dark' at making a hole and popping a cabbage seedling into it. I feel very sorry for the chap in the wheelchair, resplendent in a bright pink scarf, who was given few words to say other than helping some of the other presenters to poke into people's shopping bags in the last programme I saw. He was given nothing to do and must have felt he was only there because he was in a wheelchair. Similarly, the statuesque black lady is given so little to do...... To top everything else Joe Swift, who is only paraded occasionally, was set to interview the singer (who, in fact has a new record out!) Will Young, who obviously knows far less about gardening than he does about the inner workings of the Hadron Collider. It is to Mr Swift's credit that he was able to mask Mr. Young's lack of gardening skill and knowledge by his own depth of presenting skill.
I had a lot of time for Jim McColl and the programme is much worse for his loss in my view. I think none of the presenters have come across well in this series and this must be to do with the pedestrian production of the programme. Like Gardener's World it needs a shake up and needs to become a programme about gardening for gardeners.
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It is my understanding that with the onset of the new BBC Scotland channel the opportunity to 'opt out' of the standard BBC 2 schedule has reduced dramatically and programmes such as Beechgrove that might otherwise have been shown on BBC2 are now to be shown or can, if so desired, be shown on BBC Scotland. However, the viewing figures for BBC Scotland have seemingly been low and the channel's budget is being used to bolster its online activity so as not to diminish its presence. Accordingly, the channel may have to show cheaper programming such as repeats hence the reduced number of gardening episodes.
The BBC has said: “BBC Scotland has the youngest age profile of any BBC TV channel in Scotland, excluding those channels specifically for children. This tells us that our offer is distinctive and the fact content can also be consumed on our online and social media platforms is helping to attract a younger, more socially diverse audience. These are early days for the new service and the indications are positive. Beechgrove is a well-loved part of the new channel’s schedule and the programme also continues to get an airing on BBC Two network. In its new format Beechgrove offers more online and social media content, available at any time.”
The average age of viewers for BBC1 is 61 years and for BBC2 62 years. Though I'm an occasional viewer (of below average age for these channels) of Beechgrove perhaps we are all just being nudged (or pushed) by BBC Scotland to gain our gardening information and entertainment via other means. I do wonder when the programme returns in late summer when viewing figures are likely to be seasonally low (and particularly so on a minority channel) that the decision will be taken to move all content next year to online because of seemingly poor viewing figures (which will be construed as a lack of interest).
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Before coming on to Beechgrove I'll at least get my ten 'pennorth in about Gardener's World. The people who devise these programmes and the words which their presenters use in them are obviously certain that 98% of those watching have the attention-span and learning ability of a somewhat poorly amoeba and feel in the main that their presenters are somewhat similar! I think most of us, even those who rarely garden, would be able to make a 'stab in the dark' at making a hole and popping a cabbage seedling into it. I feel very sorry for the chap in the wheelchair, resplendent in a bright pink scarf, who was given few words to say other than helping some of the other presenters to poke into people's shopping bags in the last programme I saw. He was given nothing to do and must have felt he was only there because he was in a wheelchair. Similarly, the statuesque black lady is given so little to do...... To top everything else Joe Swift, who is only paraded occasionally, was set to interview the singer (who, in fact has a new record out!) Will Young, who obviously knows far less about gardening than he does about the inner workings of the Hadron Collider. It is to Mr Swift's credit that he was able to mask Mr. Young's lack of gardening skill and knowledge by his own depth of presenting skill.
I had a lot of time for Jim McColl and the programme is much worse for his loss in my view. I think none of the presenters have come across well in this series and this must be to do with the pedestrian production of the programme. Like Gardener's World it needs a shake up and needs to become a programme about gardening for gardeners.
Exactly
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It is my understanding that with the onset of the new BBC Scotland channel the opportunity to 'opt out' of the standard BBC 2 schedule has reduced dramatically and programmes such as Beechgrove that might otherwise have been shown on BBC2 are now to be shown or can, if so desired, be shown on BBC Scotland. However, the viewing figures for BBC Scotland have seemingly been low and the channel's budget is being used to bolster its online activity so as not to diminish its presence. Accordingly, the channel may have to show cheaper programming such as repeats hence the reduced number of gardening episodes.
The BBC has said: “BBC Scotland has the youngest age profile of any BBC TV channel in Scotland, excluding those channels specifically for children. This tells us that our offer is distinctive and the fact content can also be consumed on our online and social media platforms is helping to attract a younger, more socially diverse audience. These are early days for the new service and the indications are positive. Beechgrove is a well-loved part of the new channel’s schedule and the programme also continues to get an airing on BBC Two network. In its new format Beechgrove offers more online and social media content, available at any time.”
The average age of viewers for BBC1 is 61 years and for BBC2 62 years. Though I'm an occasional viewer (of below average age for these channels) of Beechgrove perhaps we are all just being nudged (or pushed) by BBC Scotland to gain our gardening information and entertainment via other means. I do wonder when the programme returns in late summer when viewing figures are likely to be seasonally low (and particularly so on a minority channel) that the decision will be taken to move all content next year to online because of seemingly poor viewing figures (which will be construed as a lack of interest).
Beechgrove always reminded me of Garden Time that was on ITV years ago - it is real gardening and very informative
When Jim went they then introduced a new woman who did recipes and cooking - she lasted 2 weeks - then off air - where was Chris Beardshaw? What went wrong
Gardeners World is just a joke - I often ask the OH what did we learn from Veg Growers weekly? Zilch
With the amount of cooking programs is it not about time they made a decent gardening program - tool reviews etc.
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A Scottish friend of mine tells me that he has heard (from a Scottish friend of his ) that Beechgrove will not be coming back this month largely as a result of the diabolical programmes put out this year so far. Anyone else heard this?
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The Beechgrove website says the programme "will be back in the end of July"
( - I think 24th?) :-\ 25th July "on the new BBC Scotland" - so it may be a case of finding it on i-player for others or maybe Sky channel 115 or 9 on Freeview etc. :-\
downloads.bbc.co.uk/reception/pdfs/skychannels.pdf
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Beechgrove back tomorrow ......
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In Scotland - on Sky and Freeview - Channel 115
Rest of the UK - on Sky Channel 457 and Freesat 108
Also available on BBC i-player
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Beechgrove back tomorrow ......
In Scotland - on Sky and Freeview - Channel 115
Rest of the UK - on Sky Channel 457 and Freesat 108
Also available on BBC i-player
thanks Maggie
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You're welcome, Graeme!
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From the most recent issue of Caley News from the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society :
"Last week it was good to finally see the return of the Beechgrove Garden to our screens [live or on catch up!]. The Caley is concerned that at a time when the benefits of growing plants, the activity of gardening and enjoying gardens, parks and wider greenspaces on so many different levels is now recognised as being extremely important for a healthy and balanced lifestyle, that the one Scottish authoritative gardening programme, where information on all these topics is covered in such an accessible manner, has moved channels and had its schedule considerably reduced. I have written to the BBC and Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary’s raising The Caley’s concerns however you can also do your bit by signing the petition. We can only hope that the reduced schedule is not repeated next year!
Finally, at Saughton Park we are still behind schedule in moving into the buildings but hope the first moves will take place in early August. However, if you have not yet visited to see the gardens, I would strongly recommend a visit. The Herbaceous Borders and Rose Gardens are looking particularly stunning, a credit to the designers and the planting team.
I hope you enjoy the rest of the summer either in your own garden or visiting some of the many fine parks and gardens we have here in Scotland.
Happy Gardening
David."
David Knott, President RCHS
Petition:
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/keep-beechgrove-garden-on-air
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Good news about the Beechgrove Garden TV programme for next year .....
BBC Scotland has announced today that Beechgrove is being restored to 26 episodes next year to cover spring, summer and autumn without a break. This is great news for the programme and for horticulture, particularly in Scotland.
"A big THANK YOU to everyone who supported Beechgrove this year, we are all delighted with this development. Please, feel free to share this news."
Susan Burgess
Assistant Producer
Tern Television Productions
https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2019/north-east-boost-from-bbc-scotland (https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2019/north-east-boost-from-bbc-scotland)
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Hurrah! Common sense prevails :)
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Good news at last. Maybe the BBC will go a bit further and put the programme out in England at a reasonable hour. Beechgrove shows a good selection of gardening issues.
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watched and appreciated even on the continent!!!
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From the BBC website on the next year for Beechgrove :
"The Beechgrove gardening series will have a 26 week run in 2020, with a further eight packages of special highlights to be shown over the winter.
The boost in the run of the series, which is initially shown on the BBC Scotland channel on Thursdays with a further transmission across the UK on BBC Two on Sunday mornings, will return the series to be onscreen across the spring, summer and autumn.
Steve Carson, Head of Multi-Platform Commissioning, says: “We tried something different with Beechgrove this year with social media packages, more outings for the presenters on Radio Scotland’s Grow It and a shortened TV run, but the response from the public has been very clear.
“We have taken on board the feedback and for 2020 there will be a 26 week run of the programme on the BBC Scotland channel and on BBC Two across the UK.”
The aim for the new extended series in 2020 is a new reinvigorated Beechgrove, continuing with features on a range of stunning gardens and practical planting advice, but also highlighting gardening possibilities and benefits for a wide spectrum of people across urban and rural landscapes.
The further eight programmes of highlights from the series will focus on themes ranging from wildlife gardening to gardening’s health benefits - physical and mental - and art in gardening.
Gwyneth Hardy, Executive Producer at Tern TV in Aberdeen, says: “We are looking forward to Beechgrove ‘blooming large’ on the BBC Scotland channel next year and building stronger roots within this new televisual ‘home’.
“We are also delighted to be bringing Beechgrove cheer over the winter with the special packages of highlights from recent series.” "
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It,s good to see the BBC taking notice of their viewers. Wildlife gardening is not just important it also gives a lot of pleasure to people who can then see wildlife in their own patch. More Alpine gardening would also be interesting, especially to those with small gardens.
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Beechgrove Garden programme returns for new series, 16th April 2020
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Beechgrove "old Boy" Jim McColl has just been awarded the Victoria Medal of Honour from the RHS , along with Chris Bailes of Alpine Garden Society and formerly of the RHS and Jim Gardiner, Executive Vice President ,formerly Director of Horticulture of the RHS and Curator of RHS Garden Wisley.
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I think it is a celebration of 40 years of the programme. A repeat?
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I believe it to be the new series, Ian - but I may be wrong. A repeat of their 40 year celebration programme would be a good excuse to add a bit about Jim McColl being given the honour of VHM from the RHS .... :-\