20 September 2012
I'm unstoppable with enthusiasm, besides myself as I've just been part of a serious bit of radio history. Gardeners' Question Time is 65 years old this year and I'm just back from recording a very special programme to celebrate that great occasion.
But what made it so special was that we recorded the programme from the very same wood-panelled room in the very same pub that the very first programme was recorded in back in 1947!
The first programmes was conceived as a sort of follow on from the great Dig for Victory campaign, perhaps offering some light relief in those rather austere years after The Second World War , and at the same time offering some much needed advice to all the new home owners (and so garden owners) who were trying to grow their own, tend vegetables and perhaps even brighten things up with some fantastic flowers. Then called 'How does Your Garden Grow' the first programmes (featuring the much-loved Bill Sowerbutts no less) was broadcast from The Broadoak Hotel in Ashton-under-Lyne. It was to this pub that a 21st century GQT team of myself, chairman Eric Robson and fellow panelists Bob Flowerdew and Paul Peacock returned to record the programme which goes out on Friday 28th September at 3pm, and again on Sunday 30th September at 2pm.
I had a great time recording the show, and it was made all the more exciting by coming face to face with the original acetate discs on which that very first programme were recorded back in 1947, as you can see from the picture taken by Paul (and with Eric lurking in the background!) Gardening history and radio history all in one evening. Couldn't stop smiling.
The show will include some brilliant clips from that very first GQT programme in 1947 as well as questions taken from the 2012 audience and, though I'm not sure I should say it myself....but I will anyway !.....it will be a real cracker, so make sure you tune in and celebrate with us!
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