Is it just me or does Joe Swift look REALLY uncomfortable on his lottie?

[janeyo]

I don't think he really relishes the whole thing and think he may be a a bit too arty farty for it, just look at his triangles for a start!

And don't get me started on Carol's AMAZING compost - HOW many times does she have to tell us about it?????!!!!!!

And that Alys is too darn posh for her own good!

janeyo - LOL

mind you, I could listen to Monty waffle on about anything for hours, his voice is so hypnotic it sends me into a trance.

[kirsty b]

Didn't see all of GW tonight so couldn't possibly comment. Know what you mean about Monty though,
When he comes on, Lauren gives me a very knowing look and says, 'you like him don't you mum'

[yoanbob]

I like Alys she seems a bit shy, know what you mean about JS a bit out of his depth?

[bluemoon]

I haven't watched it, so couldn't comment. Nonetheless, I find it curiously satisfying to hear that he seems to be struggling.

[mrs dog]

Has any one thought about the fact that all these people also have computers and may well have seen some of the very personal comments made about them? Sorry to be blunt but the comments have becoime very personal and surely its their expertise we should be looking at not the way they speak?

[piskieinboots]

I can't beleive JS is under attack again - I refer you to the post by Lady Jana Muck!

I am still reeling from the comment someone made about 'wanting him (JS) to fail' - that saddened me so much.

Mods, can this post be merged with the LJM post where there are some good and positive comments being said about GM and more importantly about JS?

[smallblueplanet]

Has any one thought about the fact that all these people also have computers and may well have seen some of the very personal comments made about them? Sorry to be blunt but the comments have becoime very personal and surely its their expertise we should be looking at not the way they speak?

It is their lack of expertise (in growing allotment veg) that makes some so p*ssed off with the Beeb for showing such rubbish. I doubt someone telling JS he's a bit 'arty farty' and the fact I think he's pretentious will much affect his tv career or his ego?

Yesterdays allotment section was slightly better as there was actually some useful info pro-offered. I still don't think he was a good choice to front the allotment piece and I have no real desire to watch a show about someones inability to grow veg.

I would have preferred to have learnt from the 'experts' but that doesn't seem to be the way things are nowadays.

[samw04]

i think its great it reminds me of me, out of my depth, not sure what i'm doing, messing up and having to learn from it isn't that real? i think its a great choice of person to front it, it will give people the the view that it is hard work and show what happens when you cut corners not looking at taking on a lottie thru rose coloured glasses i'm really enjoying it just gutted that he only got a small part last night, show more.

[smallblueplanet]

i think its great it reminds me of me, out of my depth, not sure what i'm doing, messing up and having to learn from it isn't that real?

Well if you want a reality gardening show with JS as a contestant, then yes. What did you learn from 2 shows then that will help you next time?

[bluemoon]

I can't beleive JS is under attack again - I refer you to the post by Lady Jana Muck!

I am still reeling from the comment someone made about 'wanting him (JS) to fail' - that saddened me so much.

I've had a quick look back and the only post on this thread that can remotely be read as 'wanting him to fail' was the one I wrote about finding it curiously satisfying that he's struggling. Perhaps I didn't put it well, but what I meant was that if he seems to be struggling then at least people aren't being given the idea that an allotment can be sorted in a weekend. I gave up watching T.V. gardeners round about the second series of 'Ground Force' simply because I couldn't see the logic in encouraging people to cover their only bit of green space in concrete. (I gave up telly completely round about series three of Big Brother and something called 'Footballers' Wives'. Do people really watch this rubbish? ) Anyway, I've not had a great deal of respect for gardening programmes since, and I'm suspicious of the BBC for suddenly jumping on the allotment bandwagon. As I've said elsewhere, I've been veg gardening for 30 years and until recently had never come across a book or watched a T.V programme that dealt with allotments; now, suddenly, they are everywhere. I'm also sure that five years from now T.V. companies and publishers will have moved on to some other new gardening fad and allotments will be 60% abandoned again. I'd love it if programmes like these taught people something, I hope that they do, and I hope that a percentage of those who are inspired to give it a go remain converts for life, but having seen what's happening on our own site - huge waiting lists, people being given a plot only to leave it again within weeks, and the same plots becoming available again time after time, - I fear that that's the way it will go everywhere.

I appreciate that everyone, at some point, has their first plot and that these programmes and books will probably be a great help to them, but those who stick it out and become successful plot holders would probably have done it even without the media's help. I don't want Joe Swift to fail, I don't want anyone to fail, our best defence against the developers is 100% occupancy and a healthy waiting list, but at the moment much of what is happening on allotments seems to be media generated and many of those taking on a plot seem to be doing so with unrealistic expectations. If JS seems to be struggling a bit then surely that can only be a good thing? At least people might think twice and allow those who have genuinely been inspired by his programmes - warts and all - to get their hands on a plot.

[zazen999]

Well, I am partly in the yes camp, and partly in the no. I don't like the way that he got his plot after others have had to wait for years; and the free stuff just got on my wick. But - we are currently waiting for the council to clear our plot and rotavate [if they weren't it wouldn't be too bad - we don't want to make a start and find they rotavate up newly planted spuds etc] - so it does happen. And this is TV land; so things are bound to be a bit different and specifically the time and space dimension is always going to be unrealistic.

But, I do like that at least people are more aware of allotments and the benefits that they can bring; and if it encourages developers and councils to donate even one more plot of land then surely that is a good thing? And if plots taken by newbies have some weekly guidance that keeps them going then again; it's a good thing.

I think with TV; which is why I watch so little; nothing is true to life really; so pick and choose but don't expect too much; but those cut and thrust shots where he opens door, puts spade in, slams door, opens other door, slips off coat, walks to plot and dig - all in the space of 5 seconds just makes me laugh.

Personally I think this whole 'I'm not an expert thing' will soon be dropped. JS doesn't need advice about onion sets; he has surely sown seeds before. the sooner they drop that approach and calm it down a bit the better, IMHO!

But, Monty is off again it would seem. Another 6 weeks away. Perhaps JS can join up here if he needs expert advice!!!

[ClayGarden]

I cant believe that couple even needed tools donating! Sustainability is one thing, but not even buying your own tools!

[Alison C]

Well whatever everybody thinks I am really enjoying the new look Gardeners World. I havent got an allotment (yet) but I really think that succeed or fail it will inspire more people to grow their own or get an allotment. I really want JS to suceed but show his failures too as I think its important to give the message that you can grow your own, but not to make it look too easy as people will give up after the first failure.
Im actually hoping that GW will generate loads of interest in allotments then everyone will want one and the councils will have to provide more land for allotments.
Good luck JS!!

[HeyWayne]

*Yawn*

Are people still giving Joe a hard time?

Change channels for ****s sake, get over it it's entertainment not Open University!!!!

[smallblueplanet]

Oh look its JS's mum! *Yawn* Don't like the comments don't read the thread!