Gardeners' Question Time
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Gardeners' Question Time is a long-running BBC Radio 4 programme in which amateur gardeners can put questions to a panel of experts.
[edit] History
The first programme was broadcast from the 'Singing Room' at the Broadoak Hotel, Ashton-Under-Lyne on April 9th 1947. Originally named 'How Does Your Garden Grow?' it was an offshoot of the wartime Dig For Victory campaign. On the first panel were Bill Sowerbutts [1], Fred Loads, Tom Clark and Dr E.W.Sansome. Professor Alan Gemmell joined Loads and Sowerbutts in 1950 when their contrasting styles (Professor, Traditional Head gardener and Commercial Grower) added an entertainment element. The successful format allowed it to broadcast nationally from 1957 in the light entertainment slot on Sunday afternoons. A traumatic change occurred in 1994 when the complete panel left the BBC and moved to the new Classic FM station as the (now defunct) 'Classic Gardening Forum'. A new team, style changes (including not seeing questions in advance), lighter approach, independent production and format developments since 1994 have seen GQT go from strength to strength.
[edit] Format
The programme typically comes from a village hall or other public venue somewhere in Britain, or occasionally further afield, such as in the Republic of Ireland or northern France. There are also regular editions in which the panel answer questions sent in by post or email. These editions are recorded in a specially adapted potting shed at Sparsholt College in Winchester, where the regular panel members also maintain a small demonstration garden, curated by Rosie Yeomans.
Since 2001, GQT factsheets have been made available after each episode covering all questions and their answers given.
[edit] Panelists
The current chairman is Eric Robson with regular deputisations from Jill Pyra and Peter Gibbs. Current panelists include: Carole Baxter, Chris Beardshaw, Matthew Biggs, John Cushnie, Bob Flowerdew, Pippa Greenwood, Bunny Guinness, Carol Klein, Roy Lancaster, Tony Russell, Anne Swithinbank, Rosie Yeomans.
Past participants have included Dr Stefan Buczacki, David Burges, Fred Downham, Professor Alan Gemmell, Walter Gilmore, Jill Hicking, Clay Jones, Daphne Ledward Fred Loads, Bridget Moody, Sue Phillipps, Geoffrey Smith, Bill Sowerbutts, Alan Titchmarsh.
